Aussies keep Quade
7 Dec 2012
Quade Cooper has signed a new two-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union worth A$750 000 (R6.8 million) a season.
The flyhalf looked set to leave Australian rugby after rejecting the ARU’s initial contract offer. He was said to be considering a lucrative offer with a French club, and also announced he would contest his first professional boxing bout in Brisbane on 8 February – eight days before the Reds kick off their Super Rugby campaign.
Cooper reiterated his passion for the Reds and the Wallabies jersey after signing the new deal, but he said he was still committed to his boxing debut.
‘It’s a very happy moment, to be able to continue my career with the Reds and hopefully the Wallabies is pretty exciting,’ he said. ‘Reds chairman Rod McCall, [director of coaching] Ewen [McKenzie] and [Reds CEO] Jim Carmichael have worked very hard with [ARU chairman] Michael Hawker behind the scenes and were able to get a deal done. Now I can concentrate on my footy career and my upcoming boxing fight.’
Cooper said it had never been a matter of him walking away from Australian rugby.
‘I expressed my desire to continue to play rugby but there was no contract at that stage so I had to continue on and deal with what I had. So last week I held a press conference to announce that fight to make sure I had something there.’
When asked if he would be happy to play under Wallabies coach Robbie Deans again, Cooper said: ‘Of course’.
36 Comments
7 Dec 2012, 07:20 am
sbw 2.0 dragon
7 Dec 2012, 07:49 am
The days of our lives writers could not script this much BULL S**T in a whole year of drama…
Ludicrous
7 Dec 2012, 07:59 am
He will fade away as his performances wane
7 Dec 2012, 08:25 am
@Delki-3:
Isnt there another SBW/Cooper clone joining the Waratahs next season?
Also thinks he’s a bit of a big deal.
7 Dec 2012, 08:26 am
Hopefully the contract included a clause or two about losing pay if he embarrasses himself and Aus rugby again.
Very talented fellow, but wins no friends being a Prima donna.
7 Dec 2012, 08:28 am
@John Galt-4:
Why are you coupling SBW to Cooper.
Their respective dealings with the media, fans and employers is poles apart.
7 Dec 2012, 08:32 am
@Brads-6:
Not me munchkin.
Found the article I was looking for in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Apparently they thing the players are not ‘poles apart’.
‘Football royalty put bucks before loyalty to crack the codes.’
He looks so good, that Sonny Quade-Folau. He is the ultimate first choice athlete. The man who has football administrators throwing $100 notes like confetti. The dynamic ball of muscle the Olympic sports can’t even dream of getting in a rowboat or on a badminton court. This guy does not play for gold medal bling and peanuts.
Sonny Quade-Folau is the X-factor. The man you think can push your club through the premiership window, or drag it from the floor. Who can attract TV eyeballs and convert those impressionable kids. A gun for hire in the battle of the codes.
But before you book the luxury yacht and prepare to wine and dine him, there are a few things you should know. Things that should be tattooed in capital letters on this ultimate Generation Y athlete, if there was room left. When you play with Sonny Quade-Folau, you play by his rules.
No disrespect to you or your game – rugby league, is it? But Sonny Quade-Folau is a man in demand. He may not be tied down by dated conventions such as multi-year contracts or – can you believe people still use this term? – club loyalty. He is here for a pay time, not for a long time.
Yes, Sonny Quade-Folau is eternally grateful your code has identified his talents and made him a lucrative offer – an eternity, for him, being the time between eating breakfast and tweeting that it was scrambled eggs on toast. But don’t spend too long working out the details. After all, in the month it takes you to balance the salary cap, Sonny Quade-Folau could have done lucrative guest stints in Japan and France and fought on the Anthony Mundine undercard.
But let’s say Sonny Quade-Folau agrees to join your rugby league. Don’t expect him to do handstands for the media, or to say he is eternally grateful to play this great game, or that he feels like he is coming home (”I have played this game before haven’t I? It’s the one where you get four points for a try and those people from Queensland keep nagging you to say you were born in Ipswich?”)
Sonny Quade-Folau will only do a press conference to announce his new deal if he can also promote his next fight and make it clear to his old paymasters at rugby union or the AFL or the International Marbles Association that – wink, wink – I’m not gone forever. Maybe only a one-year deal here. Don’t be strangers next September.
To be fair, Sonny Quade-Folau does not lead you down the garden path. It might be Christmas, but he makes it perfectly clear the only clause he may believe in is the get-out clause. The one that ensures his ”loyalty” is fully transportable. So don’t blame him after that big win when he sings the wrong song or fret that he calls everyone at the club ”mate”. Can’t expect him to remember a new bunch of teammates every season.
Which is not to say Sonny Quade-Folau will not abide by team rules. He even took the trouble to write them down for you. Preferred position, required personal training staff and, of course, the time off needed for those pay-per-view bouts. There are photocopies for the coaches and the team. Do you mind handing them out? Sonny Quade has a personal sponsorship commitment?
What’s that? You’ve seen him do three laps in sport’s revolving door, read his demands and you are still interested? You think taking over his multimillion-dollar contract will be a coup for club and code? That all those people who were supposed to have become baked-on supporters watching him play another game will now follow yours?
Don’t you see the absurdity in that logic? That the loyalty of the supporters who follow Sonny Quade-Folau from one sport to another is as disposable as his. That the humiliation these inter-code footballing freelancers may inflict upon your code, and your clubs, is greater than the exposure they bring?
Until you work that out, Sonny Quade-Folau will have you over a barrel
7 Dec 2012, 08:36 am
@Delki-3:
Dont worry, found him.
The blokes name is Israel Folau.
7 Dec 2012, 08:40 am
@John Galt-7:
Aren’t you capable of forming an opinion of your own that hasn’t been massaged by some hack with a beef unrelated to Rugby?
If all you can do is flop down other peoples opinions as the reason why you pigeon hole a person, then your views are valueless.
7 Dec 2012, 08:44 am
@Brads-9:
Brads, thank you for your post.
Now please shutthefuckup.
The focus here is on the new guy.
And Sonny and Quade are cut from exactly the same cloth. The are two mercinary peas in a pod.
Ive known that all along, as has everybody else.
I dont need the opinion of a ‘some hack’ to tell me that.
Kind Regards.
7 Dec 2012, 09:06 am
@John Galt-10:
Well then why did you spend the time you did to dig up the piffle you posted.
I don’t come on a blog expecting to be hosed down by regurgitated c r a p from media hacks as the response to reasonable questions.
But thank you finally for clarifying the point you were making.
So your issue really is they demand, and have been granted too much in their contract negotiations.
Fair enough, everyone is entitled to hold a attitude on that.
Personally, I find it ridiculous that so much info contained in these players contracts is allowed to be made public.
7 Dec 2012, 09:07 am
Yeah John Gait – Israel bizzarely conjured up one of the biggest AFL pay packets in history even though he was a rugby league player who could hardly play AFL. After a very embarrasing year of AFL under-performance he is now going to union. I’m sure he will do better as he is a talented ball runner.
Regarding SBW and Cooper, they share some traits (self promoters in the extreme) but Sonny is humbler and a lot more talented and likable than Quade.
7 Dec 2012, 09:12 am
@Delki-12:
Interesting, thanks Delki.
Sheez from league to AFL? Bit of a stretch that, no wonder he underperformed.
Be interested to see how he goes next season. What position do you think he’ll play?
7 Dec 2012, 09:20 am
Israel Folau will be the best thing to happen to Aussie Rugby..since Genia hit his straps…he will carve up…A great player and acquisition for Rugby…
7 Dec 2012, 09:35 am
@Te Rangatira-14:
I have never seen him play, anywhere!
Obviously you rate him from his days in League so I accept that and look forward to seeing what he can do. Wing requires the least transition between League and Union in my opinion, so he could be a handful.
As for his code switches. AFL is a different game altogether from Rugby (union or league) so I don’t understand why the Giants ever signed him up in the first place.
7 Dec 2012, 10:31 am
Cooper, Dean and the ARU deserved each other I think
7 Dec 2012, 10:32 am
@John Galt-13: Folau’s signing is bigger news the Cooper, I don’t understand why it’s not a headline on Keo. He’ll play in the back three – was an expert under the high ball in league, which is probably why the AFL thought he could convert. Another leaguie, Kiwi/Aussie, Karmichael Hunt, also converted, allegedly with a little more success. But how they offer Folau A$1.5M is beyond me.
SBW took two years to convert, Sailor never really did figure out how to play rugby, Tiquirir was fine but I always thought Rogers was gold. I’m not sure how long Folau will take. But it’s danger for Cooper. If they have a new superstar FB then Beale can play fly half and Cooper can stick to the Reds non-toxic environment he loves so much.
And I disagree with your opinion of SBW. I don’t like his manager (Also happens to be Quade’s manager) but it’s really the media that makes things seem worse than they are. I get sick of the daily articles about contract renewals but that’s a decision by the media to run these articles
7 Dec 2012, 10:38 am
Regarding Folau – the kick chase strategy will play straight into his hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnqo0ypxgnY
7 Dec 2012, 10:46 am
@catchlightuk.com-18:
Wow
7 Dec 2012, 11:02 am
@catchlightuk.com-18:
Great clip- he seems lke one hell of an athletic player.
Nice eminem tune too:
” Till the roof comes off, till the lights go out
Till my legs give out, can’t shut my mouth.
Till the smoke clears out – am I high? Perhaps
I’ma rip this **** till my bone collapse”
7 Dec 2012, 11:42 am
Ewen McKenzie has said Israel, will be NOT be ready for the Wallabies, for a season or two.
7 Dec 2012, 12:33 pm
@cane-21: I used to think SBW was a d*ck for going to France, that if he had AB dreams, he should have learned his rugby in NZ. I have no doubt that he went there mostly because of the money but in hindsight, it probably was the right thing to do, learn his rugby away from the spotlight. Now the Aussie media will be spending at least the next year heaping pressure on him to be the next big thing.
I can’t wait for the first super rugby game when he tries bouncing the ball or taking a punt at goal
Will take some time to get used to rugby
8 Dec 2012, 07:18 am
Embarrassing episode for all concerned. QC brought back into line good and proper even seems willing to be Robbie Deans’ rimjob buddy. “of course I would play under RD he is a great coach numnumnumnumnumnum!”
After his playing days QC will be remembered as a man of integrity????. What a pCunt
8 Dec 2012, 14:07 pm
Not much going on here today it seems
I did a quick scan of players’ salaries. Folau was earning more in AFL than any rugby player in the world from what I can tell. Amazing that he gave that up, took a 50% pay cut to come to rugby. I guess he’s already rich and still getting damn good cash in rugby anyway, and knew another year in AFL would make it harder for him to come back to rugby or league
8 Dec 2012, 15:02 pm
@gonzo-24:
nah, doesn’t sound right.
i dont think it is.
8 Dec 2012, 16:06 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-25: It doesn’t sound right does it. What i might be missing is top up from the national unions. But this article last year was suggesting Chabal was the top earner at GBP1M per year, which is around AUD1.5M, which is allegedly what Folau was making in the AFL. From what I’ve heard, the AFL were happy to open their wallets for the sake of marketing, especially towards the Tongan and Samoan communities. But probably the guys used their egos when deciding his price tag and loved the idea of sticking it to the NRL but stealing on of their stars.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-1377710/All-Blacks-star-Dan-Carter-worlds-best-paid-player-Racing-Metro-offer-4m-deal.html
8 Dec 2012, 16:09 pm
@gonzo-26:
ok, thanks for the info.
of course he’s only spent one season in afl, right?
will google around for highest earning rugby players.
8 Dec 2012, 16:16 pm
they will
have
to watch him
he’ll
steal them
bancrupt
8 Dec 2012, 16:22 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-27: I don’t follow the game at all and only know of him from his league days but i think he was in AFL two years. He had the option of another two but AFL were probably happy to cut their losses and let him walk as he never had the feel for the game
8 Dec 2012, 18:37 pm
@gonzo-29:
ok, thanks.
hopefully he finds the game he’s best at sooner rather than later and achieves recognition at the highest level.
it should never be about the money imo.
10 Dec 2012, 01:41 am
Likely backline versus the Lions
15 Beale
14 Ashley-Cooper
13 Folau
12 O’Connor
11 Ioane
10 Cooper
9 Genia
21 Phipps
22 Barnes
23 Mitchell / Tapuai
10 Dec 2012, 01:45 am
Genia must captain Aus..Pocock a good leader but more effective without captaincy burden…
Forwards have to be big to dominate Lions huge pack
8 Palu
7 Pocock
6 Higginbotham
5 Horwill
4 McCalman
3 Alexander
2 Moore
1 Robinson
16 Polota-Nau
17 Kepu
18 Ma’afu
19 Timani
20 Matt Hodgson
10 Dec 2012, 02:06 am
@Rhys7-31:
So you got Folau in there before he even played 1 minute of rugby, interesting.
@Rhys7-32:
Genia is a reluctant leader and his game suffers more than Pocock. Besides, captain will be Horwill if he makes it…
10 Dec 2012, 18:48 pm
@Rhys7-31: Folau at 13, controversial. He has played in the centres in league but in union it’s a position where you could easily get caught out defensively if you don’t have the instinct for it. And his biggest strength of taking the high ball will be under used at 13. I’d prefer to throw him on the wing or FB and bring AAC into the centres for Beale into FH.
Folau could prove me wrong, but I doubt he can make the Lions games without even a full super season under his belt. He’s been out of league for two years and from what i’ve read, is still bouncing the ball at training. I’m sure he’ll at least be in the squad by the end of the year but surely not for the Lions games
12 Dec 2012, 09:44 am
Oz 22 vs Lions
15.Beale
14.Mitchell
13.Ashley-Cooper
12.O’Connor
11.Ioane
10.Quade
9.Genia
8.Palu
7.Pocock
6.Higginbotham
5.Horwill
4.Timani
3.Alexander
2.Moore
1.Robinson
16.Kepu 17.Polotu-Nau 18.Slipper 19.McAlman 20.Hooper 21.Phibbs 22.Lealiifano 23.A.Faingaa
12 Dec 2012, 10:03 am
Lions 22
15.Carney
14.North
13.BOD
12.Roberts
11.Bowe
10.Sexton
9.Youngs
8.Faletau
7.Warburton
6.Ferris
5.Gray
4.Wynn-Jones
3.Coles
2.Best
1.Healey
16.Hartley 17.Jenkins 18.Murray 19.Lawes 20.Heaslip 21.Phillips 22.Wilko 22.Tuilagi
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