Ostracised former Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper dominated in his return to rugby in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition last weekend as he continues to look for an avenue back into professional rugby.
The 30-year-old was told he was surplus to requirements by new Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn earlier this season which has subsequently relegated Cooper back to club rugby in Brisbane where he is playing with Souths.
The 70-cap international’s contract with Rugby Australia does not expire until the conclusion of next year’s Rugby World Cup and at A$650,000 per season he’s an expensive commodity to have playing in club rugby.
Cooper made his return from an MCL injury against Wests Rugby last weekend and he wrote on his Instagram account that there is not other option for him but to remain patient and be persistent in his attempt to work his way back into the Queensland Reds squad.
“It was good to be back on the field with my @southsrugby brothers on the weekend,” Cooper wrote on his Instagram.
“When they want you to fail but failure is not an option be PERSISTENT and PATIENT because even when it appears there is no way.. there is always a way.. one thing I’ve learnt this year is that my happiness is not controlled by others but through enjoying each situation as it is.
“This year has been different but I’m grateful to those who have challenged me but this has & will only continue to make me stronger ✊?.. #missionimpossible#summit.”
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika issued Cooper an ultimatum in May and told the mercurial playmaker that he should leave the Reds if he wants to play for the Wallabies again under him.
“If he hadn’t had the opportunity to go play Super Rugby, I would say yes because it’s not his fault if he hasn’t had the opportunity, [to play elsewhere],” Cheika said on Fox Sports’ Kick and Chase TV programme.
“But he’s been offered opportunities and I think he should take one – and I would like him to take one of them so he can get up there and be in the position.
“I want to be clear. I’ve been watching his club footy games. It’s been really good actually. The standard of the comp in Brisbane – because I’ve been watching more games for that reason – it’s been outstanding.
“But [he needs to] even just go and get a couple of games at the [Super Rugby] pace. It goes up a level so then, when it comes to the test, you’ll be ready to go.
“He has to have form on the board, like all players.”
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