Quade Cooper’s former Reds teammate Ben Daley says the side would welcome him back to Ballymore.
Speaking on FOXSPORTS’ Rugby 360, Daley said it wouldn’t be a shock to hear that repots of Cooper’s impending homecoming were based on fact, given his past contract negotiations.
“Quade’s contracts are always very drawn out and there’s always a bit of a hoopla about it I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s trying to come back, but that Khodder Nassar is a manager that likes to get the best out of him,” he said.
Cooper has only been at French club Toulon since November and Daley said that was a pertinent part of his acceptance, though he felt for replacement 10 Jake McIntyre, who would likely make way.
“I think if he was away for a number of seasons and came back it would be a little bit of a different situation but he’s only been gone for three quarters of the season.
“His heart never really left the Reds I don’t think and he loves Queensland so he’d come back in, but I think that’s a tough gig to shaft Jakey McIntyre that’s played really well from the 10s perspective, and to jettison him out for the last three games would be a tough call.”
It’s not just Reds players who would welcome Cooper back into the Super Rugby fold, NSW scrumhalf Nick Phipps said Cooper deserved the right of return given the impact he has had on the Queensland franchise.
“I think he’s earned his stripes a little bit,” he said.
“He’s been at the Reds for so long that if he came back he probably deserved a spot as opposed to some people coming in and being shot straight into a team.
“If anyone deserves a right, what he’s done for that club is something that deserves a look in.”
Rugby 360 airs Wednesday nights 7:30pm AEST LIVE on FOXSPORTS 2 502.
