Quade Cooper finds himself between a rock and hard place.
Three weeks after being fined $40,000 and apologising for his criticism of the Australian Rugby Union, the sidelined Wallabies playmaker has received an astonishingly low incentive-based contract offer by the ARU.
Cooper has already signed a three-year deal with Queensland and is keen to remain in Australia and win back his Test jersey, but the small top-up offer again puts his future in the code in doubt.
A year ago, Cooper received one of the biggest contracts the ARU handed out when he re-signed for 12 months after leading the Queensland Reds to the Super Rugby title through both his smarts and skill.
Now the boot is well and truly on the other foot for the talented five-eighth.
His stocks nosedived significantly when he criticised the Wallabies culture as toxic in September following a disappointing performance against Argentina.
His contrite apology following the code-of-conduct hearing where he copped a $60,000 fine, including $20,000 that was suspended, and a suspended playing ban hasn’t guaranteed he’ll play for the Wallabies under Robbie Deans next year.
The ARU’s negotiation team, headed by high-performance manager David Nucifora, has been looking to cut total player payments for the past 12 months and they’re now looking to make the most out of the Cooper situation.
It shouldn’t be forgotten the 38-Test back also had a much-improved ARU offer on the table from July to September which went unsigned.
Now, even if he wanted to play overseas in Europe or Japan, he could not start a full-time offer until August at the earliest when the northern season starts.
Australia’s 20-14 win over England at Twickenham on the weekend has strengthened Deans’ shaky position as coach heading into next year’s British and Irish Lions series.
For Cooper to receive any financial gain from the ARU under its current offer he’ll need to be selected by the New Zealand-born coach and cement himself in the Test team again.
The 24-year-old loves the big stage and is driven to show he remains one of the most exciting players in the world.
While the ARU and Cooper’s camp would not comment on Monday, the Queensland Rugby Union reiterated it is confident he’ll honour his new contract with the Reds.
But, to play Super Rugby in 2013 Cooper must sign some form of ARU documentation otherwise he won’t be registered for Queensland.
Deans’ man-management has been identified as one of his weaknesses as Wallabies coach but bringing an in-form Cooper successfully back into the fold could offer a win-win for both men.
First, though, Cooper must sign with the ARU.