Quade Cooper has made it clear he’s still interesting in turning out for the Wallabies at the 2027 World Cup, this week telling the media that he “never retired” from playing rugby.
The 38-year-old hasn’t played a competitive match since May last year, but is insisting he could still do a job in green and gold.
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“The thing is I never retired, I just had other opportunities that presented themselves, and at the time when I was deciding do I want to keep playing, I was very mentally tired,” Cooper told The Australian.
“There had been a lot. You look at my career and what I went through, especially in the last little bit, from my Achilles, then having the situation with Eddie, missing out on a World Cup the day before they leave and not being even told – [after] being told… you were in the squad.
“So am I interested? I mean, who wouldn’t be? It’s a home World Cup, and I still know I can play. So, of course, I’m interested, along with every other ex-player and every other up-and-coming young guy.
Cooper was infamously dropped by Eddie Jones just one day before the Wallabies flew to France for the 2023 World Cup. Fellow veteran Michael Hooper also left out of the squad at the same time, with Jones saying he was leaning on younger experience for the tourney.
“He had told me in the camp up in Northern Territory, I need to like really lock in and have a good camp there to set us up for like the World Cup,” Cooper said.
“So going through that was tough, and there’s more to life than rugby.
“But when you miss out on things like that, we’re all human.”
Since then, Cooper has been coaching at Japanese club Hanazono Kintestu Liners.
Whether new Wallabies boss Les Kiss actually wants to entertain the idea remains to be seen, though he did address the bold idea before Australia’s clash with Japan over in Osaka on Saturday evening.
“I’m absolutely focused on the team in front of me,” Kiss said.
“I have to get that right. The first two Tests, I’ve got three 10s that will lead the way.
“Whatever I do after that is another question, but for now, I’m focused on what I have to do with this team, and it’s important my team know that.”
Declan Meredith last played 10 against Italy in a thumping 57–10 victory.
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