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Unfortunately gotta beg to differ there James, the youngsters seem to thrive on wallies like Quade with his kooky hair and idiot goosestep, rather than a hard grafting Prop or Openside. To the kids who follow Rugby, Quade would be a superstar and it would be "Tiger who?"
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Quade Cooper returns to Queensland Reds, but may lose No.10 jumper
By Jim Morton
January 06, 2010 .Quade Cooper will return to Queensland Reds training on Thursday aware he may lose the No.10 jumper even if he is cleared to start the Super 14 season.
Cooper, arrested on the Gold Coast on a burglary charge in December, makes his first pre-season appearance at Ballymore after undergoing a knee operation following his breakthrough Wallabies tour of the UK.
The Australian Rugby Union has allowed to train, but his arrest and subsequent court appearance has placed a cloud over his playing future.
Cooper, 21, has been ordered to undergo an extensive personal development and counselling program before being considered for selection by Queensland and Australia.
The mercurial inside back has met Reds coach Ewen McKenzie several times since his arrest, while court proceedings have been adjourned until July.
McKenzie said on Wednesday that he had been particularly impressed with Cooper's rugby intellect, and he indicated that Cooper was being consulted as one of his senior players.
Cooper is likely be available for the Reds' last of three trial matches if he is cleared by the ARU and Queensland Rugby Union to return to start the season, against Western Force on February 5.
"He's good to get back into (training)," McKenzie said.
"I've met with him a few times and obviously we've dealt with all the issues as much as we can, but we've largely talked about what we (the Reds) are doing here and I've enjoyed the discussions."
But McKenzie is seriously considering giving Ben Lucas the chief playmaking duties and playing Cooper at inside centre, where he impressed for Australia outside Matt Giteau in all four grand slam tour Tests.
"What we've seen is that Quade has added to his versatility," Mackenzie said.
"He's the incumbent (Test) 12 (inside centre) and we have to work out what's best for us, and these trials are important for people to show what they've got.
"Ben Lucas has played a lot at nine for the Reds, but he will give him a crack at 10 (five-eighth) to see what he offers.
"He's played most of his rugby there ... and we think he's got a future."
With Wallabies halfback Will Genia cemented as Queensland's scrum-half, Lucas's fine goalkicking and playmaking skills are helping his cause to gain a start elsewhere in the backline.
Lucas is also in contention to replace Mark McLinden at fullback, where Luke Morahan is another contender.
Former Melbourne Storm centre Will Chambers has been running mainly on the wing in training, but he is viewed as a potential outside centre.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html
moving him to 12 and lucas to 10 just makes plain rugby sense and to my way of thinking nothing to do with any crimes he may or may not of commited. Stupid article implying that it has anythig to do with his arrest!!!
Generally speaking you aren’t learning much if your lips are moving!!!
McKenzie has said that Cooper will speak to the press tomorrow after training, i guess its all part of the rehabilitation process, getting him to face the consequences
Quade Cooper hopeful of start against Waratahs despite troubles Agencies
From: AAP January 07, 2010 1:11PM
QUADE Cooper is hopeful of being available for Queensland's Super 14 opener against arch-rivals NSW next month despite his off-field troubles.
Cooper on Thursday returned to Reds training for the first time since being arrested on a burglary charge on the Gold Coast last month, running separately from the full squad as he also continued to work his way back from minor knee surgery.
Undergoing a personal development and counselling program, the Wallabies inside centre has a cloud hanging over his playing future with his court proceedings having been adjourned until July.
The Australian Rugby Union, Queensland Rugby Union and the national players association is monitoring his progress and will review his availability early in February.
Cooper is certain to miss the Reds first two trials but could make his return against the Western Force for their final pre-season match on February 5.
Full article :
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225816971057
Last edited by travelling_gerry; 07-01-10 at 21:38.
"Quade Cooper returns to Queensland Reds, but may lose No.10 jumper"
Would suggest that would be the least of his worries...
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
can only play whats in front of him burgs, some things are currently out of his control
dunno burgs, maybe you should look closer to home and ask those questions, the brumbies seem to be the foremost experts on these sort of situations
Matt Henjak starting fights in RSA, Andrew Walker drink driving, Justin Harrison taking party drugs, John Tawake caught drink driving, David Palavi charged with one count of causing harm to a law enforcement officer; two counts of obstructing, hindering, intimidating or resisting a Commonwealth official, and one of causing harm to a law enforcement officer, Jeremy Paul alcohol abuse, Joe Roff, Owen Finegan, Rod Kafer, Peter Ryan and Bill Young in trouble in RSA for nudity and ripping out the meter in a cab after refusing to pay a fare, Matt Henjak public nuisance...
TOCC you should be a journo, cheap shots... most of that was a beat up by the press. This is break and enter charges...