Cooper desperate to keep playing
By Peter Badel From: The Sunday Telegraph December 19, 2009 11:59PM
QUADE Cooper has urged the Australian Rugby Union not to sack him as the shattered Wallabies star prepares for a seven-month battle to clear his name against a burglary charge.
Speaking for the first time since being arrested two weeks ago, Cooper opened up to The Sunday Telegraph about the toughest period of his rugby career.
The 21-year-old spoke of the humiliation of being locked up at a Gold Coast watchhouse; his desire to undergo counselling and his determination to limit alcohol consumption to prove his commitment to Queensland and Australian rugby.
On Friday, Cooper was cleared to return to Reds training by the ARU, which has also ordered the classy utility to undergo extensive counselling before he is considered for selection. It was speculated that Cooper might have his ARU contract torn up following two previous indiscretions - but he implored the governing body not to abandon him.
"I don't want to let anyone down ever again," he said. "I don't want to get sacked over this. With the support the ARU has shown, and once everything is sorted out in the courts, hopefully I've still got a job. I can't take back anything that's happened, so now it's up to me to work hard and control what I can control."
Cooper has spent the past week seeking solace from family and friends. He is a man in limbo, with the backline wizard off contract at the end of 2010 and bracing for his next court appearance on July 2. Cooper is determined to prove he is not a liability for the ARU. In the past six months he has twice been fined, first for his role in a food fight and later for breaking a taxi window.
But his arrest on December 6, for allegedly breaking into a Surfers Paradise property, has rocked Cooper. He says he will never forget the devastation of being detained at Southport watchhouse.
"Words can't describe what I've gone through the past week," he said. "It was very scary (in the watchhouse). It's something I never want to experience ever again. I was in there by myself. No words can explain what I felt in there. I definitely learnt my lesson then and there.
"I've gone through all sorts of emotions. I've been embarrassed, upset, angry ... a lot has gone through my mind. I can't really pinpoint one emotion. I'm going from one extreme to another. The public have been surprisingly good to me. No one has bagged me, no one is prejudging me, I've been going out for dinner. I'm not hiding from anyone."
Nor is Cooper attempting to sidestep reality. For legal reasons, he cannot discuss his actions in the lead-up to his arrest, but he is embracing the ARU's request for counselling. And while he is adamant he doesn't have a problem with alcohol, Cooper accepts he must learn how to manage it.
"I'll do whatever it takes to get back on the pitch and play footy. It's something we've addressed, when everything off the pitch is going well it can transfer to your football on the field," Cooper said.
"Alcohol seems to be a common denominator in a lot of incidents, not just involving myself. I need to control that side of things and if I do that, it will be a big factor in keeping me on the straight and narrow."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225812018703
Quade Cooper returns to Queensland Reds, but may lose No.10 jumper
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