Quade Cooper has been struck by a fan - but not the kind that boos him.
The Wallabies first five-eighth, currently unwanted in Super Rugby, came off second best while working out in a Queensland gym yesterday.
"Today I had another run in with the BIG FAN from the gym.. this time I fought back!! F U FAN," Cooper tweeted.
Cooper was been told on the eve of the Super Rugby season by new Reds coach Brad Thorn he wasn't in his plans for 2018 and not to bother coming to training - despite having two more years left to run on his contract.
With the 29-year-old yet to strike a deal with an overseas team, it looks likely he will play out the year for the Souths Rugby Club while still earning a reported AU$650,000 salary.
Former Wallaby Berrick Barnes, plays for the Panasonic Wild Knights, said last month it was a "strange" situation.
Barnes also suggested Cooper would be a success in Japan but would struggle to find a Top League club ahead of the new season starting in August.
"It's just hard now with the timing of it all. Basically all the clubs have signed their players," Barnes said.
Another former teammate Digby Ioane said the Reds may live to regret demoting Cooper.
Ioane is close friends with dumped playmaker Cooper, and they played together in the Super Rugby club's 2011 championship year.
Ioane has been in regular contact with Cooper via text message and said he was in a good headspace.
"It's just a bit sad. He didn't do nothing wrong," Ioane told reporters on Wednesday, after arriving in town for the Brisbane Tens with his Japanese side Panasonic Wild Knights.
"I just feel for him, but I guess he's the most expensive club player (in Australia).
"I would take that job, that would be easier on my body.
