‘I ain’t retired’: Quade Cooper refuses to call time on Wallabies career

Wallabies veteran Quade Cooper has refused to call time on his illustrious international career, saying it’ll “be interesting” to see who replaces Eddie Jones as Australia’s new coach.

When Eddie Jones was named the new Wallabies coach in January, many expected great things from the rugby guru. But the Wallabies’ fall from grace has been catastrophic, ending in Jones’ resignation this week.

With ‘Eddie’ at the helm, Australia won just two of nine Tests this year, and the class of 2023 also became the first Wallabies team to bow out of the Rugby World Cup at the pool stage.

As rumours continued to swirl surrounding Jones’ coaching future in Australia – it was reported during the World Cup that the 63-year-old had interviewed with Japan – Jones issued a not-so-subtle dig at three international veterans including Quade Cooper.

In a recent interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Jones said that Bernard Foley, Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper weren’t “the right role models” for the young team. That’s why Jones overlooked the trio for the World Cup squad.

While that decision seemed to be the end for all three players in Wallaby gold, Quade Cooper has issued another response to Jones’ “role models” comment by saying, “I ain’t retired yet.”

“I ain’t retired lol… be interesting to see who the new coach will be,” Cooper wrote on his Facebook story.

“I enjoyed working with the young guns coming through not just as a mentor but as a competitor. But time will tell.”

This isn’t the first time the 80-Test fly-half has responded to Jones’ comments, with the coach also suggesting the trio weren’t “obsessed” with winning.

Ahead of the new Japan Rugby League One season, Cooper discussed his commitment to the sport and “confidence” on the field by sharing a response to comments made by a “former coach.”

“Training camp 23/24 complete. Funny, this week my will and desire to win were questioned by a former coach. To me, the way I view winning and success is through preparation,” Cooper wrote on social media.

“No outcome is guaranteed, but what you can guarantee is the work and preparation you put in. You know that you have given yourself and your team the best possible opportunity to win. That’s where confidence is born.

“Confidence does not come from knowing the outcome; it comes from knowing that you’ve done the work, and you will have your own back regardless of the outcome.”