Cooper likely to look abroad
QUADE Cooper’s is set to look overseas for a new home after falling out of favour with new Queensland Reds rugby union coach Brad Thorn.
The Reds’ most-capped back with 117 appearances, 29-year-old Cooper appears to no longer be part of Queensland’s plans.
Japanese or European clubs could potentially offer him a new home.
There seems little chance of Cooper being secured by another Australian Super Rugby franchise.
The Brumbies confirmed yesterday they already had a full roster for next year.
The Rebels, who have signed Cooper’s long-term Reds and Wallabies halves partner Will Genia, said they were too advanced in their planning for 2018 to consider him. NSW have first-choice Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley firmly entrenched as their starting No. 10.
Both Cooper and halfback Nick Frisby, who won five Test caps off the bench in 2016, are on the outer, despite being contracted to the Reds for next year.
The Reds won’t stand in either man’s way if they are offered a contract elsewhere.
“I’ve had honest conversations with Quade Cooper and Nick Frisby about where they currently sits in our plans for 2018,” Thorn said.
“They are not training with the Reds at the moment and will be training with their club instead.”
Skilful playmaker Cooper’s 70-Test career also appears over, after having been left out of coach Michael Cheika’s Wallabies squad since his last match against Italy five months ago.
Cooper was brought back by Queensland in 2015 from French club Toulon and still has two seasons left on his Reds contract. Frisby, 25, lost his starting spot to James Tuttle in this year’s Super Rugby competition.