Cooper set to become Australian citizen after win over Springboks
Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper is finally set to become an Australian citizen following his match-winning heroics against the Springboks on Sunday.
Cooper completed a fairytale return to international rugby after a four-year hiatus as he guided the Wallabies to an upset win over the world champion Springboks on the Gold Coast two days ago.
It took an injury time penalty goal from Cooper, who knocked over 23 points from the kicking tee, to secure the 28-26 victory at Cbus Super Stadium as the Wallabies kept their faint Rugby Championship hopes alive.
In the wake of his stunning test rugby comeback, numerous calls were made on social media for Cooper to become an Australian citizen after it was revealed in July that he was denied citizenship by the Australian Government for the fourth time in six years.
The New Zealand-born first-five took to Twitter two months ago to share a letter he received from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs that notified him of rejected application to attain an Australian passport.
As outlined by ‘Shannon’, an employee of the Department of Home Affairs who penned the letter, Cooper had not provided evidence that he is a “persons engaging in activities of benefit to Australia”, nor is he a “persons engaged in particular kinds of work requiring regular travel outside of Australia”.
This was in spite of the fact that Cooper, who was born in Auckland and raised in Tokoroa before moving to Brisbane as a 13-year-old, had, at the time, played 70 tests for the Wallabies and represented Australia at two World Cups.
Awkward moment @ausgov refuse your citizenship applications (again)?? wearing the green and gold 70 times apparently is not enough these days.. ?
Cheers Shannon pic.twitter.com/jMSa1moWsA— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) July 13, 2021
Throughout his test career, the mercurial pivot had played, and continues to play, for the Wallabies while holding a New Zealand passport, which presented issues in his quest to represent Australia in rugby sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Under International Olympic Committee guidelines, players can only represent a country of which they hold citizenship in.
Cooper labelled his most recently rejected citizenship application as “awkward” and told ABC in July that he was “disheartened” by the result as reports suggested that successful applicants must have been based in Australia for the past four years.
Since 2019, Cooper has been based out of Japan as he has been playing club rugby for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, which had made him ineligible to be granted citizenship.
However, according to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald, it appears the 33-year-old could finally become an Australian citizen due to a change in immigration policy in light of his performance against the Springboks.
The All Blacks have moved to within just two points of the Springboks on the World Rugby rankings following the latest round of the Rugby Championship. #AllBlacks #Springboks https://t.co/Ua628leC8H
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 13, 2021
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that, after deputy Labor Senate leader Kristina Keneally reignited calls for Cooper to become an Australian citizen, Alex Hawke, the Minister for Immigration, is set to announce a slight tweak in policy to allow individuals in Cooper’s position to be granted citizenship.
That tweak will allow individuals who meet all the requirements to become an Australian citizen except for the residency requirements because of travel for work to now be eligible for citizenship.
Cooper’s bid to become an Australian citizen has been backed by federal government MP Jason Falinski, who revealed that Cooper’s long-time halves partner and Kintetsu Liners teammate Will Genia has also been battling to gain citizenship.
Genia – who has played alongside Cooper for the Wallabies, Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels and now at the Kintetsu Liners since 2007 – was born in Papua New Guinea and moved to Brisbane at the age of 12.
“The unique work and travel demands on some of our most highly distinguished prospective Australians should not preclude them from making the cut,” Hawke said in a statement, via the Sydney Morning Herald.
“That’s why I have directed the Department of Home Affairs to apply greater flexibility in applying the residence requirement for eligible people.
“Exceptional people must not be prevented from becoming Australians because of the unique demands of the very work they do that makes them exceptional.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Just such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to comments