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NZRU reportedly chasing Reds five-eighth
AAP | Sunday, 30 March 2008
NZRU reportedly chasing Reds five-eighth - Rugby news & coverage - Stuff.co.nz
Queensland Reds officials are fighting to retain first five-eighth Quade Cooper amid allegations the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) is trying to entice him back across the Tasman.
Waikato-raised Cooper, 20, is off contract with the Reds at season's end and is weighing up his future, amid potential offers from rugby league clubs and interest from the NZRU.
Brisbane's Sunday Mail newspaper reported Cooper's management had held preliminary talks with the NZRU, which wants him to bolster New Zealand's five-eighth stocks at Super 14 level.
"We're aware the NZRU have shown interest and possibly spoken to Quade," Reds high performance manager Ben Whitaker said of Cooper, who moved to Queensland as a teenager.
"It's a bit of a surprise for a guy who has come through our system to be targeted by what's regarded as the strongest rugby nation in the world. But we've got a lot of players from New Zealand or Pacific islands playing for us.
"They (the All Blacks) are not short of a 10 (first five-eighth), but they are obviously looking to shore up their depth in one of their Super 14 provinces.
"I'm only guessing here but maybe Otago and the Hurricanes are options. The other (New Zealand) provinces are well covered at 10."
NZRU professional rugby manager Neil Sorenson was tightlipped on any talks with Cooper.
"We are always interested in talking to players who are eligible to play for New Zealand, especially if they are keen to play their rugby in New Zealand," he said.
The Reds had offered Cooper a two-year deal and would accelerate negotiations when the side return from their South African tour, Whitaker said.