Flying Red Quade Cooper sets course for Perth
QUADE Cooper, the enfant terrible of rugby and in scintillating form for the Reds this season, has every reason to put the Emirates Western Force to the sword in Brisbane today, because that would further his prospects of signing with the Perth club next season.
Cooper, 21, arrested and charged with housebreaking at Surfers Paradise in December, has put his off-field traumas aside and from the first round of this year's Super 14 has led the charge of a revitalised Reds side.
Today he will have All Black David Hill, making his debut for the Force, in his crosshairs and he'll have every reason to make coach John Mitchell sit up and take notice.
The rugby grapevine has been abuzz with word that the Force is looking closely at Cooper to fill the critical flyhalf berth next season that has bedevilled them ever since Matt Giteau signed with the Brumbies.
Cooper confirmed yesterday that he was coming off contract with the Reds at the end of the season, but wouldn't say whether the Force had been in touch with him.
"I can't talk about my manager's job. It's his business to worry about it and mine to focus on football and the things I can control, like turning up for training and doing my best for the team. It's a long season and right now the Reds are my priority," he said.
If a Wallaby side was selected on Super 14 form tomorrow Cooper would walk into the starting line-up along with his halfback hunting partner Will Genia. The two have played together from under-16 level.
Having stuck by their troubled star, Cooper has repaid the Reds' loyalty with focus and dedication this season.
"It's no secret and a lot to do with attitude that we've taken not only into games, but also to training and attention to detail off the field," he said. "A lot of the boys have stepped up in attitude and that has been a vital factor in our improvement."
Cooper has never played against Hill but remembers watching the 30-year-old playing for the Chiefs when he was still at school.
"No one who plays for the All Blacks is average. He is an awesome talent who has been around for a while with experience that is needed and will be good for young James (O'Connor) to feed off," he said.
Finding his rhythm with a new inside back combination will be half of Hill's battle today.
Stepping up from Japanese rugby to Super rugby, a competition Hill last played in 2006, will be his other challenge.
"Obviously its going to be a different pace and physicality, but Ive worked as hard as in previous years and the body's good," Hill said.
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