Quade Cooper Quits Rugby?! Wallabies Star Makes Shock Move to Totally Unexpected New Sport
04/19/2025 03:39 AM
Wallabies maverick Quade Cooper is trading the try line for touchdown vibes – and he's not just in it for the fun.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
The 37-year-old playmaker has confirmed he's making the leap to flag football, with one very bold goal in mind: representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the sport will make its official debut.
Currently wrapping up his stint with Japan's Kintetsu Liners, Cooper reckons his rugby skillset slots perfectly into the quarterback role in the fast-paced, non-contact version of American football.
"To be part of something that could potentially change the landscape… is pretty special," he told the Daily Mail.
For those unfamiliar, flag football swaps crunching tackles for strategic speed – five-a-side teams, belts instead of bruises. And for Cooper, that's the real win.
"To be able to do that and not have the head knocks, the broken bones… this is pretty exciting."
From missed dreams to Olympic screams
Back in 2016, Cooper's dream of playing Olympic rugby was dashed due to citizenship snags. But now?
"I've finally got my citizenship… there's no real hurdle apart from just ability."
American Football Australia CEO Wade Kelly is fully onboard the hype train.
"Quade's an exceptional talent… chasing flag football gold in LA28 is extremely exciting."
And he's not going solo – Cooper is already naming names for a dream Aussie team, calling on NRL weapons like Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, and code-hopper Joseph Suaalii.
"You look at guys like Reece Walsh, like the Hammer… the way they move… how dynamic they are," he said.
70 Test caps, a Super Rugby title, and now chasing Olympic gold in a sport most Aussies didn't even know existed a year ago? That's Quade Cooper in a nutshell.
"If I can be one of the pioneers, great. It's just something that I've always just loved."
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Shock Lions Squad Odds Drop — Marcus Smith Snubbed as Bookies Reveal Stunning Predictions!
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia fast approaching, the bookmakers have released their early odds on who will make the squad.
While a lot can change between now and the final selection, these odds give a strong indication of who the bookies believe will be donning the famous red jersey next summer.
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Back-Three: Scottish Stars and Irish Firepower
Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe (1/16) is the closest thing to a certainty, while Ireland's James Lowe (1/8) and Hugo Keenan (1/5) are also heavily favoured. England's Tommy Freeman (4/9) is making a strong case, while Scotland's Blair Kinghorn (8/11) and Darcy Graham (2/1) could add versatility and attacking flair.
Fly-Halves: Russell's to Lose?
Scotland's magician Finn Russell (1/10) is almost a lock for the squad, but England's rising star Fin Smith (8/15) and Ireland's young talent Sam Prendergast (8/11) are being heavily backed to join him.
Scrum-Halves: A Tight Race
Jamison Gibson-Park (8/11) leads the way for Ireland, but England's Alex Mitchell (11/10) and Scotland's Ben White (11/10) are in close contention for the remaining spots.
Forwards: Battle for the Pack
In the front row, Ireland's Tadhg Furlong (1/8) and Andrew Porter (1/7) are near certainties, while England's Ellis Genge (4/6) and young Fin Baxter (5/6) are well-fancied. Hooker spots are likely to be taken by Dan Sheehan (1/10), Jamie George (8/15), and potentially Luke Cowan-Dickie (6/5).
Maro Itoje (1/33) is the bookies’ biggest lock, with Tadhg Beirne (1/10) and Joe McCarthy (4/6) also well backed. In the back-row, Caelan Doris (1/5) and Ben Earl (1/5) lead the way, while Tom Curry (8/15) and Jack Morgan (4/6) are still in contention.
The bolded players in our proposed Lions squad represent the starting XV, according to current odds.
2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
BACK-THREE (6)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – 8/11
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Owen Farrell (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
- Fin Russell (Scotland) – 1/10
- Fin Smith (England) – 8/15
- Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – 8/11
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
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