At 38, Quade Cooper, once thought to have hung up his boots, has sparked excitement with the possibility of playing for the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Following a stint as a coach in Japan’s Rugby League One during the 2025/26 season with Kintetsu Liners, Cooper has hinted at a return to active play, potentially adding to his tally of 80 international caps.
Cooper, in a recent conversation with The Australian, shared his thoughts on his return, stating, “The thing is I never retired, I just had other opportunities that presented themselves and at the time when I was deciding do I want to keep playing, I was very mentally tired.”
“So am I interested? I mean, who wouldn’t be, it’s a home World Cup and I still know I can play. So, of course, I’m interested, along with every other ex-player and every other up-and-coming young guy. I’m sure that everybody wants a piece of it in some way.”
This revelation comes at a time when Australia has been facing challenges finding a consistent fly-half. Former coach Joe Schmidt tried nine players in this position. Les Kiss, the current coach, is also exploring his options, having recently named Carter Gordon, Ben Donaldson, and Declan Meredith as fly-halves for the upcoming tests against Japan. The Wallabies captain commented on the strategic preparations under Kiss, emphasizing the importance of the initial matches.
“The first two Tests, I’ve got three 10s that will lead the way for us,” the captain noted. “Whatever I do after that is another question, but for now I’m just focused on what I have to do with this team, and it’s important that my team know that.”
Adding to the narrative, SA Rugby's high-performance rugby general manager, Dave Wessels, who previously coached Cooper at the Rebels, expressed his confidence in Cooper's potential comeback.
“I was lucky enough to coach this man for a few years in Australia. I back the man Quade Cooper to pull this off,” he wrote. “He’s a proper athlete and has genuine work ethic…and most of all loves the game! Would be great for Australian rugby.”
The prospect of Cooper, along with other Wallabies veterans like Bernard Foley and James O’Connor, playing in Australia leading up to the World Cup could provide a significant boost. Their experience would be invaluable particularly in a tournament hosted on their home turf.
As the 2027 World Cup approaches, the decision by these seasoned players to play domestically could indeed be a dream scenario for Kiss, potentially bringing depth and experience to the squad when most needed.
It remains to be seen what moves Cooper will make next. If he is indeed serious about a return, playing in an Australian Super Rugby team could be his next step. This move would not only mark a significant comeback but also reinforce Australia’s bid for a strong performance at the World Cup, a tournament that is sure to captivate the rugby world.
