Quade Cooper's 2018 hasn't gone the way he planned, but the 30-year-old is only thinking positively about his future.
He is reportedly earning around $650,000 a season to play club rugby in Queensland after Reds coach Brad Thorn told the former Wallaby flyhalf his services wouldn't be required in 2018.
“It’s just a change of direction,” Thorn told reporters when asked why he had decided to demote Cooper at the beginning of the Super Rugby season.
“I thought Quade last year... the team struggled, his game management, his attack, his defence (struggled).
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“I’m in this role — sometimes you’ve got to make tough decisions.”
Quade, who has played 70 Test matches for the Wallabies since 2008, has been tearing up the Queensland Premier Rugby competition while captaining Souths, which led Fox Sports rugby commentator Greg Martin to plead with Thorn for his reinstatement.
“You need a brilliant player (at fly-half) to finish in the top eight in Super Rugby and that’s probably the biggest worry," Martin said on the Fox Rugby Podcast.
“The worst thing is they’ve had Quade sitting on the sidelines dazzling them (in Queensland club rugby), which if you’re any good is easy-ish to do, but I’d love to see him back there.”
Souths' season ended on Sunday night when Easts beat them 25-17 in the minor semi-final.
Cooper admitted that sometimes life can get very tough, but his strong support network got him through the year.
"I've been very fortunate to be part of a great club with some great guys," Cooper said.
"The journey of life has its ups and downs, and it depends on the support networks you have around you.
"I've been fortunate to have great teammates and coaches, my family and my partner. I'm looking forward to the future and continuing to enjoy my football.
"There's been some trials and tribulations throughout the year, but I've really enjoyed being able to be part of finals again."
Despite not being at the top of the Queensland Reds' wish list, Cooper still holds high aspirations of one day donning the green and gold once more.
"This year's been about enjoying what's in front of me, and that's been club football," Cooper said.
"Now that is finished, I'll see what happens.
"Everybody involved in rugby is always keen to play for Australia. All the boys I've played with would love to pull a Wallabies jumper on.
"I'm very fortunate to have done that on many occasions, if I ever got the opportunity to do that again, I'd love it.
"I just turned 30, so retirement hasn't even come to mind.
"I've got another year on my contract, I'll fulfill that and see what the future holds."
Impressive showing from @QuadeCooper in his first club outing for @SouthsRugby. READ: https://t.co/gLiZ6BTKAr pic.twitter.com/E69hUIHAwL
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) April 10, 2018
