Some cynics might think Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie is gathering cross-code intelligence as he seeks to convince his star playmaker Quade Cooper to resist the lure of the NRL.

McKenzie met with South Sydney NRL coach Michael Maguire at Redfern Oval on Wednesday and admitted to discussing, amongst a range of topics, recruitment strategies.

Wallabies five-eighth Cooper is off contract at the end of 2012 and has stated publicly his ambition to one day test himself in the 13-a-side game.

McKenzie confessed on Wednesday to being a fan of Parramatta, the NRL club who reportedly offered Cooper a three-year, $500,000-a-season deal in 2010 before the 24-year-old re-signed with the Wallabies to play in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

“We’ve been talking about leadership groups and some very specific detail around recruitment and things like that, just the way you go about it,” said McKenzie.

Veteran broadcaster and journalist Barry Ross arranged the meeting with McKenzie spending some time in Sydney during the Reds’ bye week.

McKenzie is used to brainstorming with coaches from other codes, having lunched with Brisbane AFL mentor Michael Voss earlier this week.

“He comes very highly credentialed and he’s clearly doing a good job,” McKenzie said of Maguire, who has steered the Rabbitohs to fourth on the ladder after four straight wins.

“I’m always interested to see the coaches that get in and make a difference.

“We’ve been just looking around the facilities and talking team culture and how to influence it and that’s where you get common ground.

“Forget about the technical and tactical part of it, it’s just about how you make a difference as a coach.

“You are never looking for some miracle cures, or magical moments, it’s just subtle little things.”

McKenzie has been a head coach for almost a decade, plying his trade at NSW Waratahs, French club Stade Francais and the Queensland Reds.

Maguire is still in the relatively early stages of his head coaching career, joining Souths for 2012 after spending just under two years at English Super League giants Wigan.

“I’m willing to listen and learn,” said Maguire.

“You always get a little bit out of talking to great coaches and obviously Ewen is a very, very good coach.”