Reds coach Ewen McKenzie admits he has not heard from Quade Cooper but remains confident the controversial fly-half will play for the side next season.

The Australian Rugby Union has not been able to shed any light on reports that Quade Cooper may have quit international rugby.

Quade Cooper is poised to return to the Australia team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand in Auckland.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has confirmed utility James O’Connor will miss at least the first two Tests of the Rugby Championship through injury, while Quade Cooper is doubtful for the tournament opener against New Zealand on Saturday week.

Quade Cooper’s appearance in Queensland’s elimination final hinges on the outcome of today’s SANZAR judicial hearing after he was put on report for a high tackle during the Reds’ victory over the Waratahs.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has backed Quade Cooper to make a full recovery from knee surgery, but concedes the enigmatic fly-half is unlikely to feature in the June Tests against Scotland and Wales.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has indicated that James O’Connor will be given the chance to fill Quade Cooper’s place at fly-half on the forthcoming tour of England and Wales.

If there was any hint of complacency inside the Australia camp heading into the World Cup, the loss to Ireland has fully erased it, according to Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper.

Despite Ireland’s convincing 15-6 victory over an in-form Australia side at Eden Park on Saturday, backs coach Alan Gaffney maintains the best is still to come from this Irish team.

Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy should be available to face Australia on Saturday despite suffering a hamstring strain.

LUKE FITZGERALD will pull on an Irish jersey for the first time in 12 months this evening buoyed by praise from within the Ireland camp and thrilled to have completed a long road back to recovery.

Australia coach Robbie Deans insists his men are taking nothing for granted as they prepare to meet injury-ravaged Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has backed the new-look midfield combination of Berrick Barnes and Matt Giteau to thrive ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash against New Zealand in Melbourne.

Ireland have a final chance to record a tour win when they take on Australia at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night and Ireland defence coach Les Kiss is drawing confidence from the 66-28 loss his side suffered to New Zealand last time out.

Australia coach Robbie Deans admits Kurtley Beale’s pending court appearance influenced the selectors’ decision to hand the talented utility his first Test start against Fiji in Canberra on Saturday.

AUSTRALIA international Quade Cooper has been ordered to undergo an extensive personal development and counselling programme following a string of off-field misdemeanours this season.

Afghanistan’s only pub, the new Irish Club, has been a runaway success with many foreigners desperate for a drink and a little bit of nightlife.

Afghanistan’s only pub, the new Irish Club, has been a runaway success with many foreigners desperate for a drink and a little bit of nightlife.