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Speculation rife on Cooper's next club after dramatic Thorn dumping
By Ian Cameron
Reports have emerged that Wallaby first five Quade Cooper has been told he is surplus to requirements at the Queensland Reds and speculation is now rife about which club will likely sign him.
Reds coach Brad Thorn has allegedly told Cooper that he is no longer their first choice 10 and it is now speculated that Cooper will leave the club, most likely on a lucrative deal either in Japan or Europe.
Thorn revealed: "“I’ve had an honest conversation with Quade and where he currently sits in our plans.”
“He’s not training with the Reds at the moment and training with his club instead.”
The dumping of Cooper has sent shock waves through Australian rugby. The 29-year-old had a storied history with the club, earning 70 caps and steering them to a Super Rugby title.
Cooper had been linked with a move to Sale in the Aviva Premiership earlier in the year, where former teammate James O'Connor currently plays, although many expect him to chase a big salary in the Japanese Top League.
Thorn and Cooper had an on-field spat with Cooper when the controversial Wallaby bad boy famously kneed Richie McCaw in the face during the Rugby Championship back in 2011.
Cooper was named in the Reds squad earlier in the week, with just one other flyhalf named - Hamish Stewart. With Cooper also falling out of Wallabies reckoning in recent months, it is unlikely he will sign with one of the Australia other Super Rugby franchises, if indeed any would gamble on the divisive playmaker.
On a lighter note, Cooper queried whether there was a rugby club in New York, to which former Wallaby teammate Matt Giteau responded.
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Latest Comments
Yet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
Go to commentsIt's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
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