Cooper ready to return for Reds
Queensland Reds playmaker Quade Cooper says he's in the right state of mind to make his comeback to the rugby field as the deadline looms for a decision about his playing future.
The 21-year-old Wallaby centre has been in professional limbo since being charged with the burglary of a Gold Coast residence late last year. He will find out by Wednesday whether he will be on the plane to Perth for Queensland's final trial against the Western Force on Friday night.
The signs are pointing to Cooper being able to take part in the trial and thus, the vital season opener against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on February 13. He has been under constant evaluation by the Queensland and Australian Rugby Unions, as well as the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA), since the incident.
Those three parties will liaise over the next few days to decide whether Cooper has sufficiently fulfilled the strict counselling and personal development program put in place after his brush with the law. If cleared, Cooper will be named on Wednesday morning and have the benefit of a run before the grudge match with the `Tahs and former teammate Berrick Barnes.
"Over the next couple of days there will be further discussions take place," an ARU spokesman said.
"It's been an ongoing monitoring process and with the Reds trial being played this week a decision over the next couple of days will be made."
The Super 14 season will be officially launched on Tuesday and if Cooper is given a clean slate to take part in the Queensland campaign, it will only boost what has been a fairly promising start for the Reds under new coach Ewen McKenzie.
"At this stage, I just want to play," Cooper said. "I'll be happy to suit up in any jumper. It's all about the team, fitting in wherever suits best."
The Reds have won trials against the Waratahs and Crusaders and adding Cooper, one of Australia's best players on the Wallaby Spring tour, will only add to McKenzie's options.
Cooper starred at 12 for the Wallabies and may yet partner Digby Ioane in the centres for his state, or move to 10 in place of trialists Ben Lucas and veteran Tim Walsh, who have been solid without grabbing the playmaking opportunity by the scruff of the neck.
Cooper has been training in both roles and said he would be content to wear either jersey if it meant returning to the field.
"I've been training at 10 and 12, knowing that I wouldn't be playing the first few trials. The other boys had to train in their positions and I'll move around to suit them and the team," Cooper said.
"It's going to be hard to get a spot and hopefully if I play this week, I'll put in a good performance and hopefully be there for the opening clash."
The Reds will welcome back skipper James Horwill and centre Ioane against the Force, while frontline Wallabies Will Genia and Peter Hynes will also be given their second taste of rugby for the season after both impressed in the 20-12 win over the Crusaders at Ballymore.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-union/reds/cooper-ready-to-return-for-reds-20100201-n8in.html
