Rugby: Cooper as elusive as ever

Cooper admits the World Cup will influence his decision to stay with rugby. Photo / Getty Images

Quade Cooper's side step was in full view today as the mercurial first five-eighth refused to be pinned down on some tricky issues once the Wallabies rugby side returned from South Africa.

Cooper's instinctive approach to playmaking is well documented but he was more measured when asked whether a decision on a speculated code switch to Parramatta and the National Rugby League (NRL) had been made.

"I'm not going to rush into anything," he said when the Wallabies arrived home to face the All Blacks in this season's final Tri-Nations test here on Saturday.

Cooper's declared interest in rugby league - a shock to the Australian Rugby Union a year out from the World Cup - clouded his departure on the two-test tour of South Africa.

And his plans for 2011 were just as vague although Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne, the only club to formally express an interest in Cooper, has apparently given up hope of luring the Queenslander to Sydney.

Cooper admitted the World Cup would influence his decision, although not entirely.

"It's a big thing and obviously it's going to be one factor in my decision but there's so many other factors you've got to weigh up as well. There's not just one thing that you weigh up coming into contract negotiations.

"I'm still looking at my options. I'll chat to family, friends and my agent," Cooper said.

"I'm not going to put a time line on it. I want to concentrate on this week's job and let the people behind the scenes do their job."

His core responsibility leading into the penultimate Bledisloe Cup test of the season is preparing himself mentally and physically for a belated first test start against the country where he was born.

Born in Tokoroa, Cooper was a certainty for the previous Bledisloe Cup tests in Melbourne and Christchurch until he was suspended for a lifting tackle on Springboks first five-eighth Morne Steyne during the Wallabies' Tri-Nations opener in Brisbane.

"You can't put an amount on how much I'm looking forward to playing them," he said.

And the absence of injured rival Daniel Carter would not cheapen the experience.

"Missing a guy like Daniel will be big for them but Aaron (Cruden) will do a great job.

"He'll step in, he's a fantastic player and fits into that mould really well."

Cooper felt he was also getting back into the groove after a tentative return to test rugby in the loss at Pretoria.

"The first (performance) was a bit slow, I sat back and let the boys play and worked my way back into it."

He felt a lot happier after the 41-39 win in Bloemfontein early yesterday (NZT).

"The last game, I really got involved. It felt good out there, playing like I've been doing since I was five years old."

Although Kurtley Beale monopolised the acclaim for nailing the last-minute matchwinning penalty - after Cooper deferred to the fullback when originally thrown the ball by captain Rocky Elsom - he has two proud souvenirs from an epic test in matching black eyes.

"(JP) Pietersen and (Jacque) Fourie jammed me. I came out with a few lumps. Battle wounds. It's one of my first, I'm pretty proud of them," he said.

However, he was not as forthcoming when asked about the "tweeting" incident involving alleged girlfriend, Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice.

The Beijing Olympic gold medallist got in hot water for her twitter message after watching Beale's successful kick, a homophobic reaction aimed at South Africa: 'Suck on that faggots!'.

She has since apologised and deleted the posting after outrage at her comments.

"I've been on a plane for a while so I haven't seen anything," Cooper said.

But are they an item? "Oh mate, it's a big call."

- NZPA