Thorn in his side
Kurtley Beale can’t understand why Reds coach Brad Thorn has rejected Quade Cooper.
Kurtley Beale has questioned Brad Thorn’s decision to leave Quade Cooper out of Queensland’s plans this season, saying his former Wallabies team-mate is a matchwinner who at least deserves to be picked up by another Super Rugby franchise.
Thorn has told Cooper not to turn up to Reds training for the time being, meaning the 29-year-old is set to take home a six-figure salary this year by playing club rugby in Brisbane.
While Cooper wasn’t in careerbest form last year, to leave him out of the club’s plan is a perplexing decision by Thorn, who clearly wants to take a stance and create a solid culture at the Reds.
Beale said it was surprising to see Cooper get the axe given his ability to change the momentum of a game.
‘‘There’s something going on up there,’’ Beale said.
‘‘He’s one of the biggest gamebreakers in the game and it’d be silly for him not to have a club this year because with his talent. He could be the difference between winning and losing.
‘‘I’m sure they’ll be able to work something out over there. I’ve always wished him all the best and I’m sure he’ll pick up something. I’ve seen over his social media, he’s one of the best trainers in the game.’’
Speculation is Thorn and Cooper don’t see eye-to-eye. There are whispers Cooper has an attitude problem, but Beale refuted that.
‘‘Quade’s a great guy, he’s very humble and very grounded,’’ Beale said.
‘‘He’s got a great view on the game and sometimes that may clash with other views of the game. That’s pretty special to have someone that can see the game differently to others.’’
Cooper has also fallen out of favour with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who snubbed the 70-test playmaker for his Rugby Championship squad last year.
This was after picking Cooper in all three Wallabies tests – albeit off the bench – in June against Fiji, Scotland and Italy.
Former Wallabies wing Drew Mitchell agreed with Beale that Australian rugby would be worse off without Cooper filling a hole at Super Rugby level.
But Mitchell is happy Thorn has shed more light on the reason why he punted Cooper – because he wanted a ‘‘change of direction’’.
‘‘Whoever snaps him up will get a player that has a huge amount of experience and a great work ethic . . . it’d be a shame if we don’t see him playing in Australia,’’ Mitchell said.
‘‘He’s still got a lot to give. For the moment, it’s not going to be at the Reds.
‘‘It’s Brad’s prerogative, he’s the head coach. Like he said, sometimes you’ve got to make bold choices and big calls and your season is going to be judged on those calls. I think it’s good now we’ve got that understanding as to why he went the direction he went.
‘‘As a mate, I feel for Quade. I spent some time with him here and when he played with us at Toulon. I don’t know if he’s got anything in the pipeline or if he’s just keeping fit for the moment to see whether something does come up.’’