Quade Cooper not ruling out Rugby League switch

Australia fly half Quade Cooper has revealed he would not rule out a move to Rugby League after receiving interest from an NRL franchise.

Cooper, 22, is currently in talks with the Australian Rugby Union over a new contract, but the Parramatta Eels have shown interest in the Queensland Reds star, offering him a record deal to switch codes.

The offer is thought to be in the region of A$850,000 – more than double the figure offered by the ARU.

Eels Chairman Roy Spagnolo was highly positive about the move but has stressed that the team’s needs will be catered for first.

“We’ve got a figure in our head and we won’t be going above that,” Spagnolo said. “We’re not going to destroy the whole team to try and get Quade Cooper.

“Our offer will be in line with the guidelines of the salary cap but we have got some money to spend. It would be fantastic for our club, the sponsors and the code if we could get Quade.”

Lote Tuqiri, another Wallaby who made the code switch, starting off in league before having a stint in union and moving back again, felt Cooper was ideally suited to league and would settle quickly.

“I think he would cross codes easily. He is a natural talent and is someone who plays off the cuff so I think he would be well suited to league.” Tuqiri told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Cooper is set to feature in the Wallabies’ next Tri Nations outing against South Africa on 28 August.