Australian Rugby
Cooper set for ARU talks
Scrum.com
August 14, 2010

Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper is on course for a clear the air meeting with Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chiefs after being linked with a switch to rugby league.

The Reds playmaker has been mentioned in connection with the Parramatta Eels NRL side, prompting ARU boss John O'Neill to call for a meeting to resolve the issue prior to the Wallabies' Tri-Nations tour to South Africa.

''I think we will get a meeting of minds pretty quickly. If nothing else this has brought it to a head,'' O'Neill told The Sydney Morning Herald. ''Quade doesn't want this unresolved. We don't want this unresolved. We want to do a deal that is fair and reasonable in the circumstances.''

Cooper distanced himself from the move in the media and committed himself to union after initial reports surfaced, but with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon the ARU are keen to secure one of their brightest talents.

Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne confirmed their interest in the player, but insisted that his club would not be used as a bargaining chip should he decide to enter new contract negotiations with the ARU.

''We'd love to have him, but he has to make a decision on whether he wants to play union or league,'' Osborne said. ''We're not interested in getting involved in a bidding war and being used as leverage.''

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