Aussie Cooper resists lure to French rugby

AUSTRALIA fly-half Quade Cooper has signed a one-year contract extension with the Australian Rugby Union after shunning interest from rugby league and French rugby.

The new deal means Cooper, who has been in scintillating form as the Reds have surged to the top of the Super Rugby ladder, will remain in Australia until the end of the 2012 season at least.

Cooper said: “It’s an exciting time to be part of Australian Rugby with the Reds going so well and the World Cup coming up, so I’m glad everything is now squared away.