Australian · Brisbane, Australia · Born 4 October 1988Quade Cooper is a New Zealand-born Australian fly-half celebrated for his unpredictable attacking play across a long international career.
Quade Santini Cooper was born on 5 April 1988 in Auckland, New Zealand, and moved to Tokoroa as a one-year-old, being raised by his mother, Ruhia, and stepfather, David Jones, alongside three sisters and two brothers. He moved to Australia as a teenager, attending Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane, where he formed a rugby partnership with future Wallabies teammate David Pocock. Cooper joined the Queensland Reds and made his Wallabies debut in 2008, quickly establishing himself as one of the most naturally gifted and unpredictable fly-halves in world rugby, renowned for his flat, flat-out attacking instincts and ability to create something from nothing. He helped Queensland win the 2011 Super Rugby title, being named the competition's Player of the Year that season. Cooper's international career was frequently interspersed with controversy and periods out of favour with Australian selectors, and he spent time playing in France with Toulon and returned to the Melbourne Rebels, before an unlikely late-career recall to the Wallabies squad ahead of the 2021 Rugby Championship, having not played a Test in nearly three years. Cooper finished his playing career with Japan's Hanazono Kintetsu Liners before transitioning into coaching as the club's attack coach in 2025, closing out a career defined by extraordinary individual skill and a genuinely unconventional footballing journey from small-town New Zealand to the top level of Australian rugby.
Mercurial Wallabies fly-half known for flair and creativity
How They Played
Cooper was renowned for his creative attacking play, exceptional passing ability, and willingness to take risks with ball in hand. His unpredictable style often produced moments of brilliance but could also lead to costly errors under pressure.
Lasting Impact
Cooper's entertaining style and willingness to speak his mind made him one of rugby's most polarizing figures, influencing discussions about player expression both on and off the field.
Career Honours
- Tri Nations winner 2011
| Club | Period | Apps | Tries | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland Reds | 2007–2015 | 97 | 17 | #10 |
| Melbourne Rebels | 2022–2024 | 153 | 17 | #10 |
| RC Toulon | 2015–2017 | 21 | — | — |
 Australia | — | 75 | — | — |
Australian Athletes