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Angry senior Wallabies have fired back at Quade Cooper's "toxic environment" claims, saying Cooper should take a walk if prepared to reject the honour of representing Australia.
And that scenario could be on the horizon, after the Australian Rugby Union hinted on Friday it may withdraw its contract offer to Cooper in the wake of his outspoken TV interview on Thursday night.
Cooper continued his criticism of the Wallabies environment on the Rugby Club on Fox Sports, saying a negative and toxic Wallaby culture was destroying him so much he would refuse to play for Australia if fit.
Cooper's comments sparked anger Friday among many Wallaby players.
"To say you would deny the opportunity to play for your country if selected is incredibly disrespectful to the guys who will wear the gold jersey this weekend, to people who have worn it in the past and every supporter who wears it as well," one senior Wallaby said.
"It is a privilege to be able to play for the Wallabies. If you feel like you are better than that, it is time to move on."
A second senior player, who also requested to remain unnamed due to them breaching ARU media protocol, said: "The state of Australian rugby and the Wallabies is not as grim as is being made out. " Cooper said he had supporters but the senior players said a vast majority of Wallabies did not back the "toxic environment" assertions.
It was confirmed team elders had been concerned for some time about the attitudes of a group of younger players, including Cooper, and the impact of the leeway given to them by team officials.
"There are things said and done, guys feel like 'if that was me, I would get my contract torn up'," one player said. "Can you imagine Stephen Larkham, or even Dan Carter, saying these sorts of things?
Though he is entitled to his views, the second player said, "the way Quade went about it, that's the disappointing thing."
"It's just not a good look for the game in general," he said. "And it's disappointing we are talking about this when they boys are playing an important Test in Pretoria. Benn Robinson is playing his 50th Test."
ARU boss John O'Neill broke a week of silence on Friday on Cooper, saying he was "utterly confused" by many of the grievances outlined.
"Most disturbingly, he was firm about not playing for the Wallabies unless things change," O'Neill said.
"If that is how he feels, then that is his choice. The reality is a decision on whether or not he stays in Australian Rugby has to this point rested with him since he received an ARU offer in early July."
The words "to this point" suggest the ARU could withdraw their contract offer.
Cooper has signed a deal with Queensland to 2015 and wants to play for the Reds, but has to sign an ARU contract to be registered.
All contracted players must be available to play for Australia and can't just elect to play for a province.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...ce=twitterfeed
Unfortunately i can point out 3 young players within the group that these comments are referring to.
another article quoted a tweet from drew on Thursday night that said "finding it harder to bite my tongue" or something like that. i wonder if this wallaby was drew, and if not. which side of the fence he would come down on.
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Originally Posted by GIGS20
