Quade Cooper commits to rugby
The lure of winning next year's World Cup has secured the Wallabies the services of five-eighth Quade Cooper for the next 12 months.
Cooper announced on the eve of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney he was sticking with rugby union despite a lucrative offer to switch codes and join NRL club Parramatta.
The Queenslander has signed a one-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union and admits the chance to represent his country in New Zealand next year had played a big part in knocking back the Eels' reported offer of $1.5 million over three years.
"The offers from Parramatta were very flattering and you'd be silly not to look at them," Cooper told reporters on Friday.
"It is a professional era and you've got to look at all your options. But like I've said all day I've decided to stay with rugby union and that's where my future is.
"We've got a big game tomorrow, a big season with our end of year tour, Super 15 next year and then the World Cup which is on the world stage and something that every sportsman wants to be a part of.
"Those things only come around once every four years so you've got to look at all your options there, not just one."
But the length of the deal has already got many querying whether Cooper will take part in next year's tournament only to then join the Eels or another NRL club when his new contract expires.
Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne was one who believed league would be crazy not to make a play for the mercurial 22-year-old this time in 2011.
"He's very keen to try his hand at league so I guess we've just got to wait 12 months," Hayne said.
"It would've been very exciting. He's such a talented athlete and his ability and experience is similar to mine, with his way of thinking and the way he plays the game."
ARU chief executive John O'Neill said he had no qualms about the deal and was confident Cooper wouldn't be switching codes next year or any other time soon.
"Quade and I, over a period of some weeks, talked about a range of options and ultimately we're comfortable with the one year," O'Neill said.
"I'm also confident that Quade will be with us for years to come but I think Quade's expressed it quite well, remove the doubt, provide certainty for the next 12 months and let's just get on with it."
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans praised Cooper's character for the way he handled the media interest in his future, saying the news would give the whole team a lift ahead of the All Blacks clash on Saturday.
"It's probably a boost in so far as the boys know that Quade is committed beyond that moment," he said.
"Which is always good. It's always good to know that you've got boys beside you that are in it for the long haul."
Cooper said the decision had been a "load off my shoulders" as he prepares to tackle the land of his birth for the first time at Test level.
"Tomorrow night is a clash against the world's greatest team," he said.
"For us that's the immediate future, the challenge of going up against the best team in the world.
"It's one that just kept getting away. I've sat on the bench a few times and then I got suspended so for me this is a very special moment."
Wallabies: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Lachie Turner, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Huia Edmonds, James Slipper, Dean Mumm, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Anthony Faingaa.
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Victor Vito, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Res: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan, Colin Slade, Rene Ranger.
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