Nothing surprises Ewen McKenzie when it comes to Quade Cooper but the Queensland Reds coaching director is scratching his head over the Australian Rugby Union’s revamped contract regime.

McKenzie was not fazed by reports that the Reds playmaker is poised to quit the sport, however, he could not hide his frustration with the ARU.

Cooper is reportedly considering other sports after the ARU offered him a down-graded, incentive-based contract, throwing into jeopardy the three-year Reds deal he signed in June.

McKenzie did not know which ARU official decided Cooper should be offered a contract that would place him outside the country’s top 30 players.

“I can’t tell you,” he said.

McKenzie also wondered why the ARU had taken so long to make the reduced offer after withdrawing their previous one.

“Quade had been doing year-to-year contracts so the fact that he put his hand up for three years was quite exciting,” he said.

“At this point of time we haven’t had the other – (ARU) – deal done. That is a major frustration.”

An ARU spokesman said they were not in a position to comment on contract negotiations regarding Cooper.

ARU top-up offers are now made after players negotiate a deal with a province but in the past it was the reverse.

Now top-line players are negotiating provincial deals but then looking overseas or interstate if the ARU top-up offer they expected is not forthcoming.

Wallabies back-rower Scott Higginbotham agreed to stay with the Reds in April but a month later signed a richer, two-year Melbourne Rebels deal when the ARU’s top-up offer fell short.

The Reds are also sweating on Wallabies halfback Will Genia after ARU talks stalled – six months after he re-signed with the Reds for three years.

“To be honest if you don’t get someone signed now, where do you go?” McKenzie said.

“It is difficult to find players because every other competition is already in mode.

“You have to sit there and wait.”

McKenzie claimed he was not bothered by the reports that Cooper may be lost to rugby despite being the last to know.

“I am getting used to finding out things through the media,” he said.

“Don’t worry I have seen them all (types of contract negotiations).

“Often it gets played out in the media. Sometimes it becomes a way to generate pressure.

“I don’t know if that is the case in this situation.

“You get used to rolling with it.”