Dumped Wallaby Quade Cooper: 'I didn't feel worthy of being Māori'

Quade Cooper. Photo / Greg Bowker.

Dumped Wallabies star Quade Cooper has revealed his cultural identity struggles since moving from New Zealand to Australia while also putting his hand up for a game for the Māori All Blacks.

Cooper, who moved to Brisbane as a 13-year-old, made the comments in an interview with TVNZ's Marae program.

Having been expelled by Reds coach Brad Thorn earlier this year, Cooper is currently plying his trade in Brisbane club rugby with Souths, his first ever club, looking to work his way back into Super Rugby reckoning.

He copped it in his Kiwi homeland and was Public Enemy No 1 at the 2011 Rugby World Cup after several on-field run ins with All Blacks icon Richie McCaw.

"Sometimes, I didn't really feel worthy of being Māori," Cooper told TVNZ.

"Living in Australia, you sort of... not forget, but it's not right on your doorstep.

"But I think being Māori is something that's inside you.

"A lot of times people criticise, because I played for Australia, things like that.

"A lot of times I have felt it's a bit true, because I don't necessarily know enough about my family or my heritage, or what I'd like to know.

"I've been trying to learn a little bit more, trying to get a bit more knowledge on my roots and things like that.

"It's all a journey.

"If I was ever to play for the Māori one day, that would be another step in that journey."

Sonny Bill Williams, Quade Cooper and Ezra Taylor at Byron Bay in Sydney, 6th January 2017 Sourced from the Instagram account of @ezrataylor_bsandm

Despite Cooper being contracted to the Reds in 2019, Thorn has shown no signs of offering the playmaker a recall, while Matt Toomua's return to Australia would seem to slam the door shut on his Rugby World Cup hopes.

But Cooper isn't fussed, saying he is content plying his trade in club rugby for Souths.

"Not only has it helped me become a better player, I've been able to help a team become a better team and individuals become better individuals.

"Those are experiences that you can't force or you can't buy.

"Knowing that I've been through that... I've had a great time.

"It's been beneficial and eye opening.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be part of Souths and be part of the club I joined when I first came over from New Zealand."