Cooper not finished: Slack
FORMER Wallabies captain Andrew Slack says it’s too soon to write Quade Cooper off and believes the enigmatic playmaker remains capable of playing Test rugby again.
New Queensland coach Brad Thorn has sent Cooper back to Brisbane club rugby, seemingly intent on developing the Reds’ next generation of five-eighths, headed by under-20s World Cup standout Hamish Stewart and Duncan Paia’aua. Slack, though, believes Cooper, at 29, may not be done yet at the highest level.
“They haven’t let him go precisely. He’s still contracted and, if Brad decides he wants him at some stage, at this stage he’s there,” Slack said.
“He’s just not training with the Reds. He’s training with the club. But I think it shows what ticker Brad’s got, in truth.
“It’s not an easy thing to do and not everybody agrees with it, but the coach is the boss.
“The most important thing is the coach is confident in the personnel he’s got. I’m sure Quade understands.”