Tweet
The Daily Telegraph was told that Cooper could now expect offers between $250,000 to $300,000 a season from NRL clubs - not the $700,000 a season he demanded earlier this year.
That means Cooper's run of poor form at the Rugby World Cup could cost him nearly $1.4 million if he entertained a rugby league career over three years.
Cooper, 23, has one more year with the Queensland Reds before throwing himself open to NRL offers. But there appears to be little or no interest from rugby league.
Horror back-to-back performances in the World Cup quarter-final against South Africa and against the All Blacks on Sunday have sent Cooper's stocks plummeting. In those two matches combined, Cooper failed to make a line-break, missed five of 16 tackles, committed seven errors and ran for a modest 32m a game.
Deans jumps to Cooper's defence
Deans has had his day: Giteau
Campaign highlights Wallaby shortcomings
Some semi good news for Australian rugby
All Blacks anticipate the bizarre
"He wouldn't get $700,000 a year in league now. Maybe he's worth $250,000 to $300,000," one of rugby league's top player managers said last night.
"Look, he is a rugby league player. He has that Benji Marshall-like instinct and rugby union is too structured for him. But no one would be queueing up to sign him.
"Look at someone like Daly Cherry-Evans. He is on about $130,000 a year and is now a Test player. Rugby league can produce its own without signing a rugby union convert with questionable skills for $700,000."
Cooper's plunging value is also a slap in the face for his agent Khoder Nasser, who prides himself on being able to command top dollar for his clients, who include Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Mundine.
The Daily Telegraph contacted several NRL clubs yesterday and each dismissed a desire to sign Cooper."No doubt he can play but whether he would be a success at the highest level in rugby league remains to be seen," Canterbury CEO Todd Greenberg said.
Canberra coach David Furner said: "No, we wouldn't be interested."
One club linked to Cooper has been the Sydney Roosters. There have been on-going suggestions the Roosters may sign Williams for next season and then Cooper in 2013.
But not so, according to Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce.
"He (Cooper) is not in our plans," Noyce said.
"The Roosters seem to get linked to anyone and everyone. It is a tall tale. We weren't interested leading into the World Cup."
Just last week, Eels chief executive Paul Osborne expressed relief his club narrowly missed out on signing Cooper earlier this year.
"I'm glad we didn't sign him after watching him last weekend," Osborne said.
That means Cooper's run of poor form at the Rugby World Cup could cost him nearly $1.4 million if he entertained a rugby league career over three years.
Cooper, 23, has one more year with the Queensland Reds before throwing himself open to NRL offers. But there appears to be little or no interest from rugby league.
Horror back-to-back performances in the World Cup quarter-final against South Africa and against the All Blacks on Sunday have sent Cooper's stocks plummeting. In those two matches combined, Cooper failed to make a line-break, missed five of 16 tackles, committed seven errors and ran for a modest 32m a game.
Deans jumps to Cooper's defence
Deans has had his day: Giteau
Campaign highlights Wallaby shortcomings
Some semi good news for Australian rugby
All Blacks anticipate the bizarre
"He wouldn't get $700,000 a year in league now. Maybe he's worth $250,000 to $300,000," one of rugby league's top player managers said last night.
"Look, he is a rugby league player. He has that Benji Marshall-like instinct and rugby union is too structured for him. But no one would be queueing up to sign him.
"Look at someone like Daly Cherry-Evans. He is on about $130,000 a year and is now a Test player. Rugby league can produce its own without signing a rugby union convert with questionable skills for $700,000."
Cooper's plunging value is also a slap in the face for his agent Khoder Nasser, who prides himself on being able to command top dollar for his clients, who include Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Mundine.
The Daily Telegraph contacted several NRL clubs yesterday and each dismissed a desire to sign Cooper."No doubt he can play but whether he would be a success at the highest level in rugby league remains to be seen," Canterbury CEO Todd Greenberg said.
Canberra coach David Furner said: "No, we wouldn't be interested."
One club linked to Cooper has been the Sydney Roosters. There have been on-going suggestions the Roosters may sign Williams for next season and then Cooper in 2013.
But not so, according to Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce.
"He (Cooper) is not in our plans," Noyce said.
"The Roosters seem to get linked to anyone and everyone. It is a tall tale. We weren't interested leading into the World Cup."
Just last week, Eels chief executive Paul Osborne expressed relief his club narrowly missed out on signing Cooper earlier this year.
"I'm glad we didn't sign him after watching him last weekend," Osborne said.
Comment