Quade’s quality electrifies the Reds
Wallabies mercurial flyhalf is now elder statesman at 26
“QUADE is arguably the most exciting and electrifying player on the planet,” Quade Cooper’s website proclaims.
That is moot but, love him or loathe him, what it does reveal about the Wallabies and Reds flyhalf and playmaker is that he has bullet-proof confidence.
Occasionally, Cooper gifts the opposition momentum, but his career with the Reds has been one of enduring quality. Just last week he broke Elton Flatley’s record 629 Super Rugby points for the Reds.
“Breaking records is not something you set out to do when you start out. All you want to do is improve the way you play. If you make history, that’s great. I’m very proud of the record and I just hope I can continue to do my bit.”
It is hard to imagine, but Cooper, who turns 26 next month, is now one of the team’s elder statesmen. “I feel I’m getting old because we have a fairly young team. Nobody has to remind me of my age because my body reminds me. I guess that comes from playing since I was 17. It feels like a long time.”
Cooper has built a reputation as someone never far from the action. He is older and perhaps wiser and makes the point that there is no need to go big on his birthday on the fifth of next month. “We’ve actually got a home game that day. Usually I’ll spend it with my family. My mom will cook a big dinner.”
That might be a private affair but Cooper’s in-box is likely to bulge due to his very visible online profile. He has a website that bears his name and has more Twitter followers than Canberra has people. “I grew up in the days when it was very hard to get in contact with players,” explained Cooper. “The guys you used to look up to as a kid. Your paths hardly crossed.
“I use it to interact and sometimes just to say ‘thank you’. I just want to show them that I’m a normal person and let them know that their aspirations no matter where you’re from are not out of reach. I grew up in a small town. Not so long ago that was me.”
Cooper is not the only hit in his household. His American Staffie, Chuck, also boasts an Instagram profile. “Yeah, the little guy has a bit of a following. He got 2 500 followers in just two days. He’s got a lot of character. You just don’t know how much you are going to miss family when you’re away and I find it’s the same with Chuck. He’s got my sister and my girlfriend to
I want to let them know that their aspirations are not out of reach
look after him when I’m not around.
“In fact, my sister, who lives with me, is going to get a dog as well and she intends naming him Norris.”
Cooper has a thing for combat and has a few professional boxing bouts under the belt. “I especially enjoy the training aspect of it. It gives me a life outside rugby. In a way it refreshes you.
“While I was in Johannesburg I went to Lucky Smith’s boxing gym and I got a few useful tips from boxer Sean Smith.
“First and foremost, though, my focus is on rugby.” Comment on this: write to tellus@sundaytimes.co.za or SMS us at 33971 www.timeslive.co.za