Rugby Union star who is friends with Hull KR man is open to rugby league switch & reveals he nearly made move in 2011

Australian Rugby Union star Quade Cooper has said he is still open to a switch to rugby league.

The 34-year-old has made 76 appearances for the Wallabies but has constantly been linked with a move to rugby league.

In 2008 he reportedly came close to a move to Melbourne Storm and his friendship with Hull KR star Shaun Kenny-Dowall has always kept him close to the sport.

Now in the twilight of his career, the flyhalf has said he’s still open to the switch.

“I definitely wouldn’t say no to an opportunity like that,” Cooper told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It would be a conversation I would enjoy having. Whether or not someone is interested in having a conversation is a different story.

“You can’t answer that without having a conversation. I’d have the conversation.”

Cooper also revealed he almost secured a deal with Parramatta Eels in 2011 and he was “99 per cent” going to sign the contract.

“It was a last-minute phone call from the Australian Rugby Union, they got wind of it. I feel if they didn’t get wind of it, I probably would have gone.

“It was literally moments before I was going to sign, I ended up staying in Queensland and we ended up winning the championship the following year. Those are pivotal moments in your life and career. As I said, I’m content with the choices that I made.

“I do still have a soft spot, I don’t know if I will get an opportunity to play rugby league, especially not at NRL level. At the end of the day I will probably end up going and playing at some stage, even if it’s local footy.”