Latest news with #QuadeCooper
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Wallaby vent: 'Coaches change every freaking two years'
Quade Cooper has launched a blistering attack on Rugby Australia, claiming a "decade of coaching chaos" is behind the Wallabies' dramatic fall from grace. Rugby World Cup finalists in 2015, the Wallabies will enter the looming showpiece series against the touring British and Irish Lions as the eighth ranked team in the world. An 80-Test stalwart who played under five different coaches in a 15-year Test career, Cooper has laid bare why the series shapes as a real-life David-versus-Goliath battle in a damning column for NewsCorp. Under the headline of 'Wallabies' identity crisis: a decade of coaching chaos', Cooper pulled no punches when disturbingly detailing where he believes it has all gone wrong for Australian rugby since the glory days of holding the Bledisloe and World Cup trophies and winning the 2001 series against the Lions. "The most frustrating narrative around the Wallabies over the past decade has been that we don't produce quality playmakers," Cooper wrote. "I've been in the No.10 jersey for the Wallabies. I've copped the pressure, the praise, the criticism. I know what it's like to try and lead a team through the chaos of constant change, all while trying to make sense of what Australian rugby actually stands for. "The core problem is that the coaches change every freaking two years." Pointing out that he played under Robbie Deans, Ewen McKenzie, Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones, Cooper said the "constant churn means you're changing the program every two years, and so consistent development is impossible". "When a new coach sweeps in, the whole set-up changes, the structure of the camps, the structure of who's coaching, the structure of how you're playing," he said. "This isn't just disruptive; it's crippling. "Australia has been unable to cultivate a distinct style of play because they're trying to get the best coach that's out there right now, rather than adhering to a foundational Australian identity. "As a result, Australian play over the last 15 years has had no identity to it. "I contrast this with global rugby powerhouses. "The All Blacks: Every time a coach comes in, their system is the All Blacks system. Coaches often have prior involvement and simply keep moving it forward. "The Springboks: South Africa is still South Africa no matter who has coached their team. They've just been able to add layers to it, integrating better players into certain positions without tearing up the whole playbook. "Their forward pack has not changed, they just add younger players to the mix that are more talented than the next." Cooper believes the "perpetual cycle of change in the Wallabies leads to the dreaded word heard so much in Australian rugby: 'rebuild'." "Every new coach starts building from the ground up. It's a self-perpetuating problem," he wrote. "My message is clear, at some point there has to be consistency. The Wallabies need to define their big rocks as an organisation, and their 'DNA'. "Only then can they establish principles of what you coach on that transcend individual coaching tenures, allowing true development and a consistent, winning identity. "Without that, the frustrations for playmakers and the team as a whole will continue to fester, leaving the Wallabies in a perpetual state of 'rebuilding' instead of genuine contention." Quade Cooper has launched a blistering attack on Rugby Australia, claiming a "decade of coaching chaos" is behind the Wallabies' dramatic fall from grace. Rugby World Cup finalists in 2015, the Wallabies will enter the looming showpiece series against the touring British and Irish Lions as the eighth ranked team in the world. An 80-Test stalwart who played under five different coaches in a 15-year Test career, Cooper has laid bare why the series shapes as a real-life David-versus-Goliath battle in a damning column for NewsCorp. Under the headline of 'Wallabies' identity crisis: a decade of coaching chaos', Cooper pulled no punches when disturbingly detailing where he believes it has all gone wrong for Australian rugby since the glory days of holding the Bledisloe and World Cup trophies and winning the 2001 series against the Lions. "The most frustrating narrative around the Wallabies over the past decade has been that we don't produce quality playmakers," Cooper wrote. "I've been in the No.10 jersey for the Wallabies. I've copped the pressure, the praise, the criticism. I know what it's like to try and lead a team through the chaos of constant change, all while trying to make sense of what Australian rugby actually stands for. "The core problem is that the coaches change every freaking two years." Pointing out that he played under Robbie Deans, Ewen McKenzie, Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones, Cooper said the "constant churn means you're changing the program every two years, and so consistent development is impossible". "When a new coach sweeps in, the whole set-up changes, the structure of the camps, the structure of who's coaching, the structure of how you're playing," he said. "This isn't just disruptive; it's crippling. "Australia has been unable to cultivate a distinct style of play because they're trying to get the best coach that's out there right now, rather than adhering to a foundational Australian identity. "As a result, Australian play over the last 15 years has had no identity to it. "I contrast this with global rugby powerhouses. "The All Blacks: Every time a coach comes in, their system is the All Blacks system. Coaches often have prior involvement and simply keep moving it forward. "The Springboks: South Africa is still South Africa no matter who has coached their team. They've just been able to add layers to it, integrating better players into certain positions without tearing up the whole playbook. "Their forward pack has not changed, they just add younger players to the mix that are more talented than the next." Cooper believes the "perpetual cycle of change in the Wallabies leads to the dreaded word heard so much in Australian rugby: 'rebuild'." "Every new coach starts building from the ground up. It's a self-perpetuating problem," he wrote. "My message is clear, at some point there has to be consistency. The Wallabies need to define their big rocks as an organisation, and their 'DNA'. "Only then can they establish principles of what you coach on that transcend individual coaching tenures, allowing true development and a consistent, winning identity. "Without that, the frustrations for playmakers and the team as a whole will continue to fester, leaving the Wallabies in a perpetual state of 'rebuilding' instead of genuine contention." Quade Cooper has launched a blistering attack on Rugby Australia, claiming a "decade of coaching chaos" is behind the Wallabies' dramatic fall from grace. Rugby World Cup finalists in 2015, the Wallabies will enter the looming showpiece series against the touring British and Irish Lions as the eighth ranked team in the world. An 80-Test stalwart who played under five different coaches in a 15-year Test career, Cooper has laid bare why the series shapes as a real-life David-versus-Goliath battle in a damning column for NewsCorp. Under the headline of 'Wallabies' identity crisis: a decade of coaching chaos', Cooper pulled no punches when disturbingly detailing where he believes it has all gone wrong for Australian rugby since the glory days of holding the Bledisloe and World Cup trophies and winning the 2001 series against the Lions. "The most frustrating narrative around the Wallabies over the past decade has been that we don't produce quality playmakers," Cooper wrote. "I've been in the No.10 jersey for the Wallabies. I've copped the pressure, the praise, the criticism. I know what it's like to try and lead a team through the chaos of constant change, all while trying to make sense of what Australian rugby actually stands for. "The core problem is that the coaches change every freaking two years." Pointing out that he played under Robbie Deans, Ewen McKenzie, Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones, Cooper said the "constant churn means you're changing the program every two years, and so consistent development is impossible". "When a new coach sweeps in, the whole set-up changes, the structure of the camps, the structure of who's coaching, the structure of how you're playing," he said. "This isn't just disruptive; it's crippling. "Australia has been unable to cultivate a distinct style of play because they're trying to get the best coach that's out there right now, rather than adhering to a foundational Australian identity. "As a result, Australian play over the last 15 years has had no identity to it. "I contrast this with global rugby powerhouses. "The All Blacks: Every time a coach comes in, their system is the All Blacks system. Coaches often have prior involvement and simply keep moving it forward. "The Springboks: South Africa is still South Africa no matter who has coached their team. They've just been able to add layers to it, integrating better players into certain positions without tearing up the whole playbook. "Their forward pack has not changed, they just add younger players to the mix that are more talented than the next." Cooper believes the "perpetual cycle of change in the Wallabies leads to the dreaded word heard so much in Australian rugby: 'rebuild'." "Every new coach starts building from the ground up. It's a self-perpetuating problem," he wrote. "My message is clear, at some point there has to be consistency. The Wallabies need to define their big rocks as an organisation, and their 'DNA'. "Only then can they establish principles of what you coach on that transcend individual coaching tenures, allowing true development and a consistent, winning identity. "Without that, the frustrations for playmakers and the team as a whole will continue to fester, leaving the Wallabies in a perpetual state of 'rebuilding' instead of genuine contention."
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wallaby vent: 'Coaches change every freaking two years'
Quade Cooper has launched a blistering attack on Rugby Australia, claiming a "decade of coaching chaos" is behind the Wallabies' dramatic fall from grace. Rugby World Cup finalists in 2015, the Wallabies will enter the looming showpiece series against the touring British and Irish Lions as the eighth ranked team in the world. An 80-Test stalwart who played under five different coaches in a 15-year Test career, Cooper has laid bare why the series shapes as a real-life David-versus-Goliath battle in a damning column for NewsCorp. Under the headline of 'Wallabies' identity crisis: a decade of coaching chaos', Cooper pulled no punches when disturbingly detailing where he believes it has all gone wrong for Australian rugby since the glory days of holding the Bledisloe and World Cup trophies and winning the 2001 series against the Lions. "The most frustrating narrative around the Wallabies over the past decade has been that we don't produce quality playmakers," Cooper wrote. "I've been in the No.10 jersey for the Wallabies. I've copped the pressure, the praise, the criticism. I know what it's like to try and lead a team through the chaos of constant change, all while trying to make sense of what Australian rugby actually stands for. "The core problem is that the coaches change every freaking two years." Pointing out that he played under Robbie Deans, Ewen McKenzie, Michael Cheika, Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones, Cooper said the "constant churn means you're changing the program every two years, and so consistent development is impossible". "When a new coach sweeps in, the whole set-up changes, the structure of the camps, the structure of who's coaching, the structure of how you're playing," he said. "This isn't just disruptive; it's crippling. "Australia has been unable to cultivate a distinct style of play because they're trying to get the best coach that's out there right now, rather than adhering to a foundational Australian identity. "As a result, Australian play over the last 15 years has had no identity to it. "I contrast this with global rugby powerhouses. "The All Blacks: Every time a coach comes in, their system is the All Blacks system. Coaches often have prior involvement and simply keep moving it forward. "The Springboks: South Africa is still South Africa no matter who has coached their team. They've just been able to add layers to it, integrating better players into certain positions without tearing up the whole playbook. "Their forward pack has not changed, they just add younger players to the mix that are more talented than the next." Cooper believes the "perpetual cycle of change in the Wallabies leads to the dreaded word heard so much in Australian rugby: 'rebuild'." "Every new coach starts building from the ground up. It's a self-perpetuating problem," he wrote. "My message is clear, at some point there has to be consistency. The Wallabies need to define their big rocks as an organisation, and their 'DNA'. "Only then can they establish principles of what you coach on that transcend individual coaching tenures, allowing true development and a consistent, winning identity. "Without that, the frustrations for playmakers and the team as a whole will continue to fester, leaving the Wallabies in a perpetual state of 'rebuilding' instead of genuine contention."
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Quade Cooper was Aussie rugby's biggest star - now his shock social media post shows how far he's fallen from the peak of the game
A recent social media post from former rugby union star Quade Cooper shows just how much his life has changed since the peak of his footy career. The 37-year-old playmaker finished up with Japanese club Kintetsu Liners this year and has recently taken up a the challenge of playing American flag football. Flag football, the non-contact cousin of American football, will make its Olympic debut in LA – and Cooper is hoping to win gold. On Thursday, the footy star took to X to offer his services to touch footy teams on the Gold Coast after returning to Australia recently. 'If there's any local touch rugby comps on the Gold Coast at the moment that need players? HMU [Hit me up],' he posted on X. Footy fans were stoked that the Wallabies legend could potentially play on their team for free. If there's any local touch rugby comps on the Gold Coast at the moment that need players? HMU — Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) June 25, 2025 'I don't think anyone wants to play against you man but that would be a dream,' replied one fan. Last week, Cooper played flag football for Australia in a match held in Los Angeles. '20yrs ago I played my first professional game against Japan and today I play my first game against Japan in LA. Crazy full circle moment. Forever connected to Japan,' he posted to X. Turning out to play touch against amateurs is a million miles away from the fly-half's career peak after he made his Wallabies debut in 2008 and went on to play 80 Tests for Australia, scoring 208 points. Cooper first rose to prominence as a talented schoolboy when on scholarship at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane. Cooper played in the 'Churchie' first XV in 2005 and 2006 and was quickly snapped up by the Queensland Reds after finishing high school. Along with fellow young guns Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor, Cooper was viewed as an excitement machine at the time as the Wallabies looked to once again become a force in world rugby. The New Zealand-born playmaker has also dabbled in professional boxing and dated the likes of model Laura Dundovic, champion Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice and socialite Nicole Shiraz. He also had his controversies over the years, the most notable of which was copping a $40,000 fine and three-match suspension for describing the Wallabies as a 'toxic environment ... destroying me as a player and a person' in 2012. Cooper was controversially overlooked by former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones in 2023, bringing to an end his stint with the national team. Right now - in addition to getting a few games of touch footy - he is determined add the title 'Olympian' to his list of achievements. 'To be part of something that could potentially change the landscape for a lot of people in our country, all around the world, give them an avenue to play in a sport at the Olympics, is pretty special,' Cooper said. His passing wizardry and knack for flair have already earned him highlight reels on social media – skills that suit the quarterback role perfectly. And he's not looking to go it alone. Cooper has a wishlist of elite Aussie athletes he hopes will join him, including NRL stars Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and cross-code talent Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. 'You look at guys like Reece Walsh, like the Hammer… the way they move, the way they're able to accelerate, how dynamic they are,' he said. 'These are guys who play on both sides of the ball. It's not a contact game, but just the awareness to be able to know how someone moves, be able to defend them.' The non-contact game involves five players per side, using flag belts instead of tackles – making it faster, safer, and more accessible. 'For a lot of people who love and want to participate in rugby or league or AFL, that's very similar – a lot of skills and attributes of the game that I love so much,' Cooper said. 'But to be able to do that and not have the head knocks, the broken bones and the collisions – I look at it from all aspects like that, and this is pretty exciting to be part of.'
The Australian
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Sports News & Results
Lording it up: Smith climbing to Punter's record and 14,000 Test runs Steve Smith's appetite for runs remains insatiable, becoming the leading overseas scorer in Tests at Lord's with his half-century in the WTC final. Which teams in the AFL, A-League, NBL, and NRL wear purple? Plus which three McLaren drivers have finished on the podium in ten consecutive grands prix and ex-Wallaby Quade Cooper is attempting to qualify for the LA Olympics in which sport? Gout Gout's breakthrough: 'I realised how much these companies think I'm worth' The teen dubbed 'the next Usain Bolt' on dodging a job at Macca's, his high school formal and his most indulgent purchase since signing with Adidas. No need for Marn and Co to start bailing yet Marnus Labuschagne was the Daly Cherry-Evans of Australian cricket this week. He could have been picked and flicked but Test selectors are more willing to respect, protect and select a loyal servant. Toohey, Coleman: Meet Australian swimming's new kids on the block The nation's next crop of swimming superstars has emerged at the Australian Trials, and could be household names by the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Find out who they are here. Club rugby one week, Aussie U20s the next for special young guns One week they are battling it out in club rugby. Now these young guns are causing a stir as the new faces of the Australian under 20s World Rugby Championships squad Who was the most drug-tested swimmer in 2024? Doping officials undertook an unprecedented drug testing regime in the lead up to the Paris Olympics with some athletes tested dozens of times. Where do the Aussies rank? See the list. Nice! Waratahs kick goal with U20 World Rugby champs domination They bowed out of Super Rugby earlier than hoped but the future of the NSW Waratahs still looks bright with almost half the U20 World Rugby Championship squad from their junior ranks Simone Biles walks back trans comments The gymnastics superstar is apologising amid a fierce backlash over her clash with swimmer over trans competitors. The one thing that still eats away at man who became media star Garry Lyon's prolific media career means everyone knows about that infamous broken leg clip. But, while injuries played a part in his career, there's no denying his importance to Melbourne's history. SA football royalty earn Hall of Fame, legend status There are few bigger names in South Australian football history than Ken Farmer and Peter Darley. Now, one is an official legend and the other a Hall of Famer. Fierce player, rising coach — but Daisy's legacy lives off the field At 13, archaic rules stopped Daisy Pearce from following her footy dream, but only for a time. Now, Pearce is a a dominant force in the game as player, media commentator, coach, and hall of famer. 'World's just stopped': Phillips a star who changed footy forever Erin Phillips was 13 when her world came to a grinding halt and football was taken away from her. Decades later, she's helped lead a football revolution which will ensure no girl ever feels that same pain again. Brumbies walk double grand final tightrope with trophy in sight The Brumbies are staring down the barrel of unwanted Super Rugby history, and must play 'two grand finals' to clinch a long-awaited title. Shock Jamarra Bulldogs return could be 'just weeks away' In the most positive development for months, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will sit down with the Western Bulldogs as a potential return looms. Imola out: F1 confirms end of an era with 2026 calendar reveal Australia's Oscar Piastri will start his 2026 campaign on home soil chasing a maiden Australian Grand Prix win, while Formula 1 has confirmed Madrid will replace Imola on the calendar. Kozzie on brink of signing fresh nine-year mega deal Melbourne's latest play to keep Kysaiah Pickett looks to have worked with the star Demon set to re-sign with the club on an extraordinary pay packet. Mills' NBA future in spotlight after big career move Patty Mills' future in the NBA – and a potential homecoming to the NBL – is in the spotlight after the Boomers champion's big career move. Find out more here. That's a wrap! Hot shots galore – and snow – at NSW junior rugby They could be the toughest kids in Australia – the young guns playing on and in snow at the NSW Junior Rugby championships. Stars, standouts, every winner in our 2025 result wrap. NWM's team responds to 'false' report that he won't join Crows The management team of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has shot down a report the Saint had put a line through joining Adelaide next season due to racist comments made by Taylor Walker. Junior rugby's NSW Country, Sydney Cup top dogs, top clubs, A Sydney club and another from country dominated the battles for the NSW Country and Sydney Cups at the state junior rugby championships. Stars, standouts, every winner and result wrap. Cornes keen to avoid Roos rooms, 'grumpy' Lethal, Gawn v May Even if the Kangaroos open their doors back up to Kane Cornes, he might not walk in. Plus Leigh Matthews fires up, reaction to the Gawn-May clash and more of what you missed on TV. This Crow almost became a Hawk, now he's flying A hardworking Crow approaches another milestone after almost joining the Hawks six years ago, a Port first for 2025 and an odd fixture call – here's round 13's likes and dislikes. Gawn explains clash with May after final-minute blunder Max Gawn's last-gasp error cost the Demons a chance at victory — and Steven May was involved in a fiery chat after the loss. Hear from the Melbourne captain and Simon Goodwin here. AFL Commission stand by Tassie, GF timeslot set to be locked in Despite some club presidents happy for the Tasmania Devils to fall over, the AFL Commission are still backing the side to enter the competition in 2028. Plus, see the expected time of the grand final. This Daicos tag was different — but who will follow the blueprint? Melbourne fell to Collingwood in a close loss on King's Birthday. But Scott Gullan writes, Ed Langdon's tag on Nick Daicos won the respect of the competition. Grounded Corey flying high ahead of dream Group 1 bid Father-and-son trainers Chris and Corey Munce are enjoying a dream winter carnival which they're hoping will culminate in a Group 1 victory this Saturday at Eagle Farm. 'We messed up': Aussie SailGP pay price for mistakes in New York Skipper Tom Slingsby is adamant his team has the speed to regain the lead in the SailGP series but need to stop making dumb mistakes. New York SailGP results, latest news, wrap Teen try scoring guns rip it up on NSW junior rugby states day 2 There were try scoring sensations galore and hot boots aplenty with a Penrith young gun scoring four tries and kicking six conversions on day two of the NSW Junior rugby state titles.
Sydney Morning Herald
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Could a 40-year-old Quade Cooper take on the NFL's biggest stars? He thinks so
Quade Cooper was meant to go to the Olympics as part of the Australian rugby sevens team at Rio in 2016, only to be deemed ineligible because he didn't have an Australian passport – despite having played more than 50 games for the Wallabies. Nearly 10 years on, the New Zealand-born Cooper is eyeing an opportunity to get to the Games at last – this time as the quarterback for the Australian flag football team, where he could line up across from the likes of Justin Jefferson or Brock Purdy after the NFL gave the green light for its players to try out for the US team. Cooper, who is currently playing rugby in Japan – and has since acquired an Australian passport – is the Australian quarterback in flag football, the five-a-side American football variant which will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. The two-time World Cup medallist will be 40 by then, but he doesn't see age as a barrier to finally getting that Olympic debut. 'Where I'm at right now, I could play rugby for another two or three years quite easily if I wanted to. That's because I look after myself very well physically. But the sports are so different,' Cooper said. 'Rugby is a physically demanding sport where you're taking hits, and you're taking a lot of collisions and hits not just in a game but daily at training. The sport that we're talking about here is a sport that has zero collisions ... it's a lot different when you're trying to dodge and get out of the way of someone trying to take your head off as opposed to someone trying to come in and rip a tag off.' As an NFL fan, Cooper would relish in the opportunity to face off against some of its biggest stars. 'I'm obviously a fan of NFL, but stepping on the field, you're going out there to compete, and you want to compete against the best guys,' he said.
