Reds deny Cooper's departure
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For the second time this year, the Reds have been left fuming about an early announcement on the departure of one of their players, accusing Toulon of jumping the gun on Quade Cooper's signing.
Will Genia, who moved to another French club in Stade Français a few weeks ago, was unveiled by his new club before the Reds had had the time to sort things out on their side.
Now it looks like Toulon have announced the signing of Cooper before the Wallaby star has acctual signed anything.
Millionaire Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal was so convinced Cooper had committed to a two-year deal he announced it on the club’s website, along side a picture of the two.
Cooper was photographed wearing a Toulon shirt.
The flyhalf visited the French giants club last week on a reconnaissance mission to gauge an offer, but this latest move by the gung-ho club suggests the deal is already done.
However, Cooper told Fox Sports News on Friday that reports of his signing being official are premature, insisting he’s yet to make a final decision.
Queensland Rugby Union Chief Executive Jim Carmichael insisted on Friday the Reds were still in the race for their 104-game star after a meeting with Cooper in Brisbane.
“It was a great lunch. The time allowed Quade and I to get closer to a position that satisfies us both,” Carmichael said.
“There are more conversations to be had and this is the last time I’ll be commenting until the discussions are concluded.”
But Cooper's manager Khoder Nasser told AAP his client would take "one week or two weeks" before making his decision.
Nasser also said Cooper was deciphering the new rules about overseas players being eligible for the Wallabies, which may allow him to continue representing Australia while abroad.
"Quade's deciphering everything," Nasser said.
"To be honest, he was deciphering everything before the ARU's rules came out, regardless.
"He'll make his call over the next week or two weeks."
The Australian Rugby Union has set a 60-Test and seven-year threshold for players playing abroad to qualify for Wallaby selection.
Given that Cooper has only 53 Test caps, he may just to rely on qualifying through the seven-year deal – given that he made his Test debut in 2008.
@QuadeCooper au @RCTofficiel c'est fait ! 2 ans ! http://t.co/PCLeCp7WKi pic.twitter.com/ErIi3FvqLB
— RCT – RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) April 24, 2015
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