Quade Cooper
The Reds believe the Australian Rugby Union’s revised contracting system could convince star playmaker Quade Cooper to remain in Brisbane.
Cooper’s future remains a hot topic of conversation, following the announcement by Toulon than the 53-Test veteran had signed a 2-year contract with the French club.
Cooper, the Reds and the ARU vehemently denied his departure is a done deal – accusing the Top 14 club of jumping the gun.
It is now reported that Cooper has been offered a 4-year flexible contract by the ARU, which will allow him to play in Japan during the off-season and return for Super Rugby to remain eligible for the Wallabies.
Reds coach Richard Graham, addressing a media scrum in Brisbane on Monday, said they remain optimistic that Cooper will not take up the Toulon offer.
“That’s obviously something that’s being discussed with Jim Carmichael (Queensland Rugby CEO) and the Australian Rugby Union,” Graham said.
“We’re obviously confident and positive that he wants to stay here.”
He said Cooper’s future will always a talking point.
“I have no doubt that the flexible contracting, as we call it, has a big part to play,” Graham said.
“If you look at the Foley deal recently, that is giving an indication of the way things are heading – particularly for some players,” he added.
Foley recently became the 1st, of what will be a very small group of players, to sign a “flexible contract” – which allows him to play 2 seasons in Japan over the next 3 years, while also playing for the Waratahs and remaining eligible to represent Australia.
“For us, obviously Quade is an important piece of everything we’ve done here at Queensland,” the Reds coach said, adding: “Those negotiations are ongoing and they’re really positive at this stage.”
Reds vice-captain Rob Simmons straight-batted questions about Cooper at Monday’s media briefing.
“I’ve got no idea,” he said.
“We don’t really speak about it, it’s not really our area. We just go out and play footy.
“Personally I’d definitely love him to stay – most players would like him to stay, a player of Quade’s calibre is good to have in any team.”
The Reds will travel to Christchurch this week to take on a formidable Crusaders side on Friday.
Karmichael Hunt is unlikely to be fit with a niggling groin strain expected to keep him out.
rugby365