Super Rugby
Cooper seeking funds for Toulon backflip: report
ESPN Staff
May 29, 2015
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The Quade Cooper contract saga has taken yet another twist with reports the Wallabies playmaker is keen to opt out of his rumoured deal with Toulon to continue his career in Australia.

Cooper was splashed about social media in a Toulon jersey last month, seemingly confirming his move to the Top 14 after this year's Rugby World Cup. Queensland Reds, however, have been desperately trying to keep the 27-year-old fly-half in Brisbane as they prepare for the departures of Will Genia, James Horwill, James Hanson and, possibly, Liam Gill.

And it appears those attempts may have been successful with Cooper, according to Wallabies great Tim Horan anyway, reportedly seeking funds from both the national and state Unions to allow him to backflip on what is believed to be a letter of intent to join Toulon.

Quade Cooper could yet backflip on a move to Toulon © RCT
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"Well what I'm hearing is, and I don't know this for sure, but what I'm hearing is that Quade has signed a letter of intent but he would like to stay in Australia and play rugby," Horan told Fox Sports. "He wants to stay and play in Australia, and play for the Reds and the Wallabies.

"So if it's a couple of hundred grand to get out of that contract, the Australian Rugby Union or the Queensland Rugby Union; how are they going to come up with those funds? The Australian Rugby Union should not be paying those funds if that's the case."

Cooper has been rushed straight back into the Reds' starting side for their clash with the Force in Perth. He was due to face the media on Thursday before the team's departure from Brisbane but was a mysterious late withdrawal.

Under-fire coach Reds Richard Graham is quietly confident Cooper will remain at Ballymore - citing the playmaker's drawn-out negotiations had reached a positive outcome in the past.

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"You look at the history, they've gone for a long, long period of time and he's ended up staying with the organisation," he said.

The Reds will be looking for just their fourth win of the season when they face the Force in Perth on Saturday night. Rookie Jake McIntyre had done an admirable job in his first two Super Rugby starts at No.10, but Graham had no hesitation in bringing 53-Test veteran Cooper straight back into the run-on side after a long lay-off with injury.

"I think the point of difference with Quade is he sees the game ahead one or two phases," Graham said. "He's able to construct the attack to manipulate the defence. The other thing is his set of skills; he passes the ball probably better than anyone in Super Rugby, and that adds width obviously the way you play the game. He looks really comfortable with the ball in hand and certainly fresh from not having played the last couple of months."

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