Reds flyhalf, Quade Cooper, has signed a further one-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union which keeps the influential playmaker in Queensland for at least 2012.
Cooper, 23, said he was pleased to finalise an agreement with the ARU and was now focused on the remainder of the Reds’ 2011 campaign.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of Australian Rugby with the Reds going so well and the World Cup coming up, so I’m glad everything is now squared away, ” Cooper said.
“The vibe within the Reds team and the support we’re getting from our fans is incredible and I’m proud to be part of it going forward. ”
Cooper, the 2010 Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year, made his debut for the Reds in 2007 and has since earned 61 caps for Queensland and 24 for the Wallabies.
His meteoric rise has continued this season with Cooper currently the competition’s leading points scorer with 166 – made up of four tries, 22 conversions, 31 penalties and three drop goals.
Queensland Rugby CEO Jim Carmichael welcomed the ARU agreement with Cooper an instrumental figure for the Reds moving forward.
“Quade is an integral part of this organisation, both on and off the field, and is exactly the type of young man we are targeting to ensure rugby in Queensland remains strong and vibrant in the future, ” Mr Carmichael said.
Head Coach Ewen McKenzie echoed those sentiments.
“Everyone notices the freakish aspects of Quade’s game but all those highlight moments start from the hard work he puts in off the field. No one works harder than Quade and his rise in world rugby hasn’t come by accident, ” McKenzie said.
“Our playing group is building nicely for next year and beyond, and Quade is just one of many excitement announcements we plan on making in due course. ”
Quade Cooper
Height: 186cm
Weight: 92kg
Date Of Birth: 05/04/1988
Place of Birth: Tokoroa, Waikato, NZ
Stats
Provincial Rugby Caps: 61
Provincial Rugby Points: 374 (15t, 55c, 59p, 4d)
Provincial Rugby Debut: Feb 2007 v Crusaders, Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Super Rugby Caps: 60
Super Rugby Points: 374 (15t, 55c, 59p, 4d)
Super Rugby Debut: Feb 2007 v Crusaders, Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Test Rugby Caps: 24
Test Rugby Points: 41 (6t, 1c, 3p)
Test Rugby Debut: 2008 v Italy
Hey GBS, you’re a funny fella! I wonder if Cooper signed his contract as Quade Cooper or ‘Surfer Dude’, because I think the name is starting to stick and it suits him.