‘I ain’t retired’: Quade Cooper refuses to call time on Wallabies career
Wallabies veteran Quade Cooper has refused to call time on his illustrious international career, saying it’ll “be interesting” to see who replaces Eddie Jones as Australia’s new coach.
When Eddie Jones was named the new Wallabies coach in January, many expected great things from the rugby guru. But the Wallabies’ fall from grace has been catastrophic, ending in Jones’ resignation this week.
With ‘Eddie’ at the helm, Australia won just two of nine Tests this year, and the class of 2023 also became the first Wallabies team to bow out of the Rugby World Cup at the pool stage.
As rumours continued to swirl surrounding Jones’ coaching future in Australia – it was reported during the World Cup that the 63-year-old had interviewed with Japan – Jones issued a not-so-subtle dig at three international veterans including Quade Cooper.
In a recent interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Jones said that Bernard Foley, Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper weren’t “the right role models” for the young team. That’s why Jones overlooked the trio for the World Cup squad.
While that decision seemed to be the end for all three players in Wallaby gold, Quade Cooper has issued another response to Jones’ “role models” comment by saying, “I ain’t retired yet.”
“I ain’t retired lol… be interesting to see who the new coach will be,” Cooper wrote on his Facebook story.
“I enjoyed working with the young guns coming through not just as a mentor but as a competitor. But time will tell.”
This isn’t the first time the 80-Test fly-half has responded to Jones’ comments, with the coach also suggesting the trio weren’t “obsessed” with winning.
Ahead of the new Japan Rugby League One season, Cooper discussed his commitment to the sport and “confidence” on the field by sharing a response to comments made by a “former coach.”
“Training camp 23/24 complete. Funny, this week my will and desire to win were questioned by a former coach. To me, the way I view winning and success is through preparation,” Cooper wrote on social media.
"No outcome is guaranteed, but what you can guarantee is the work and preparation you put in. You know that you have given yourself and your team the best possible opportunity to win. That’s where confidence is born.
“Confidence does not come from knowing the outcome; it comes from knowing that you’ve done the work, and you will have your own back regardless of the outcome.”
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This has the makings of a good match. That’s Leinster’s second team but its a good one (stronger than the teams in SA recently). Ulster are really turning a page. Ryan back is huge, and Keenan too. This could be a cracker.
Go to commentsThe Farrells are one of the great father and son combinations. Andy was an RL great, and had he played Union as his first sport, I would be sure he would have been avery significant forcewas in League. And Owen, a Union great, who had he played League, would could have been a great there too i all probability. I feel my attitude to Owen has mellowed as he has aged, and in the post Jones era, evolved and shown his full range of talents. He really is an all round player, and I have wold hope his move to France will be successful. He may even be the piece in the jigsaw that Racing need to rise to challenge Toulouse and LAR. He is ofc now approaching 33 years of age but should still have enough left to make a big contribution in France for at least2/3 years.
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