Australia international Quade Cooper will be free to play at next year’s inaugural Rio Olympic Sevens tournament after renegotiating his original contract with European champions Toulon, he said on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old fly-half apologised to Toulon fans for the extended negotiations that even last week appeared compromised because of doubts about his international future.
“It has been a drawn-out process and I apologise for that,” Cooper told a press conference alongside Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.
Australia’s selection rules only allow foreign-based players to be chosen if they have 60 caps. Cooper has 58 but made only one World Cup appearance because of the hot form of Bernard Foley.
Cooper said the first version of his Toulon contract did not mention being freed for national games, but it was renegotiated and Boudjellal said: “if he (Cooper) is called he will be immediately freed.”
Cooper said the talks with Boudjellal had focused on allowing him to go to the Olympics in Rio next August when sevens rugby will be played for the first time. “He knew how excited I was about coming to Toulon and representing my country at the Olympic Games.”
The New Zealand-born star, who has also had two professional boxing bouts, thanked Toulon and the Australian Rugby Union for the deal.
“So for me the immediate goal is to get out and play well for Toulon. But I am just happy and grateful for the opportunity to go to an Olympic Games which would not have been possible prior to this. Every kid dreams of going to the Olympics.”
He may also have to be freed for some pre-Olympic sevens tournaments.
Cooper could feature in Toulon’s Top 14 match against Montpellier on Saturday.
“I wish it was Saturday today and I could strap on the boots and run out to play today,” he said.
“You have got to learn quickly and the best way is to get out there and do it,” Cooper declared when asked about the switch from Super Rugby with Queensland Reds.
“I just want to get out there and do it. It also helps having such world class players around you.”
Cooper will join Australian World Cup finalists Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell in the three-time European Cup winners’ multi-national squad.
Ma’a Nonu, a try-scorer for the All Black side that beat Australia in Saturday’s final, will arrive at the French club at the end of November, according to the Toulon president.
South African No.8 Duane Vermeulen should be available for the European Cup opener against Bath on November 15.
Irish lock Paul O’Connell, who on Monday revealed he could be out for up to eight months, should be ready to play in mid-January, Boudjellal said.
“Going by the medical files we have today, which have been seen by the club medical staff, he should be 100 per cent operational and ready to play by mid-January at the latest,” the president said.
O’Connell underwent surgery after injuring his hamstring during Ireland’s 25-9 pool-stage victory over France at the World Cup last month.
He had signed a one-year deal with Toulon, with an option for an extra year.
Toulon are considering bringing in cover for O’Connell and Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny, who tore right knee ligaments before the World Cup.