Former Wallabies captain Andrew Slack says it's too soon to write Quade Cooper off and believes the enigmatic playmaker remains capable of playing Test rugby again.
New Queensland coach Brad Thorn has sent Cooper back to Brisbane club rugby, seemingly intent on developing the Reds' next generation of five-eighths, headed by under-20s World Cup standout Hamish Stewart and Duncan Paia'aua.
Slack, though, believes Cooper, at 29, may not be done yet at the highest level.
"They haven't let him go precisely. He's still contracted and, if Brad decides he wants him at some stage, at this stage he's there," Slack said on Monday.
"He's just not training with the Reds. He's training with the club. But I think it shows what ticker Brad's got, in truth.
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"It's not an easy thing to do and not everybody agrees with it, but the coach is the boss.
"The most important thing is the coach is confident in the personnel he's got.
"I'm sure Quade understands, as much as he'd be disappointed, but he's not cut adrift.
"Who knows what Quade will end up doing in 2018, but it's not all over yet."
Despite luring Cooper back to Australian rugby two years ago, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika hasn't used the 70-Test star since the June Tests.
Slack maintains "at his best", Cooper remains Test-match quality.
"But you've just got to be consistent week in, week out and potentially that consistency was missing last year," he said.
"But he's not a professional rugby player if he doesn't think he can go out and play for whoever and then be able to play for Australia.
"The only opinion that matters at the moment is Cheika's, I suppose, and he says no and that's how it is.
"But every year's a different year."
