Quade Cooper to remain in local club rugby

FORMER Queensland Reds and Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper is expected to continue playing local club rugby if he chooses to stay living in Brisbane.

The door has been closed on Cooper at the Queensland Reds with Coach Brad Thorn confirming there is no spot for him there.

Wallabies assistant Stephen Larkham also confirming that playing club rugby won’t help him win back his Test jersey.

Cooper seems adamant on staying in Brisbane with his latest Instagram post describing his journey as “mission impossible”.

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations,” he wrote on Instagram.

“The more difficult it is to reach the destination, the more you will remember & appreciate the journey.”

The 30 year old is contracted with Reds until the end of next year on a deal worth $650,000 a season.

The Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies have made approaches but have been knocked back, with Cooper seemingly content to stay close to his family and friends and remain with Souths in the small pond of Brisbane Premier Rugby.

Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle to Fox Sports there’s nothing she can do to change his mind.

“We can’t command (a move) to happen,” Castle said.

“He’s contracted with the Reds and if he wants to stay there and play club rugby, that’s what he’s allowed to do in the contract.

“As an athlete himself you would think he would want to be presenting himself on the best stage and playing in the highest level of competition — that’s what high-performance athletes are about.”