Rugby star Quade Cooper denied Australian citizenship despite 70 tests for Wallabies

He roughed up Richie McCaw and played 70 tests for the Wallabies. He still can't get Australian citizenship. Photo / Getty

Former Wallaby Quade Cooper played 70 Tests for Australia, including appearances at two World Cups, but he still can't officially call himself an Aussie.

Cooper, who was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia when he was 13 years old, has never represented his nation of birth in rugby.

The fly-half took to social media to express his bemusement over his bungled citizenship case, tweeting: "Awkward moment @ausgov refuse your citizenship applications (again) … wearing the green and gold 70 times apparently is not enough these days … Cheers Shannon"

Awkward moment @ausgov refuse your citizenship applications (again)🥺😂 wearing the green and gold 70 times apparently is not enough these days.. 🤔
Cheers Shannon pic.twitter.com/jMSa1moWsA

— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) July 13, 2021

In a strange set of circumstances, Cooper was deemed not to have provided sufficient evidence for satisfying the special residence requirements.

Those include being a person engaging in activities to the benefit of Australia as well as being a person engaged in particular kinds of work requiring regular travel outside of the nation.

The 33-year-old spent twelve years playing for the Queensland Reds, amassing over 110 appearances for the side.

Cooper also linked up with the Melbourne Rebels in 2019, and had a stint with the Australian 7s rugby team sandwiched in-between.

He roughed up Richie McCaw and played 70 tests for the Wallabies. He still can't get Australian citizenship. Photo / Getty

However, his ambitions of representing Australia at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Jainerio were quashed because he did not hold an Australian passport at the time, as citizenship of a country is required for participating in the Olympics.

Cooper responded to a user who asked him how he had represented the Wallabies on the international stage before, stating he played for the Wallabies "As a visa holder."

The rugby star is without a club after departing Japanese outfit Kintetsu Liners, where he made nine appearances.