Shots fired! Cooper versus Thorn

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper has finally broken the silence following his exile from the Queensland Reds courtesy of Brad Thorn.

The Wallaby flyhalf was famously deemed surplus to requirements by Thorn at the start of the 2018 Super Rugby season, but Cooper had resisted having a pop at the former All Black second row.

However, Cooper - set to join the Rebels in 2019 with an announcement possible as early as the end of this week - made his feeling towards Thorn public with a post via Instagram.

He posted a picture of himself handing off Thorn during the Wallabies-All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final with the caption, "Sometimes you are forced out of the place you love but thank god there’s more than one place that loves me."

Fellow stars of the game – Ugo Monye, James O’Connor, Drew Mitchell, Reece Hodge and Simon Zebo all responded to the post, with Zebo saying: "Shots fired,"

Though he didn't reveal his next destination in the post, Cooper, who has yet another year on his Reds contract, left no doubt that his days at the Reds are over.

If the playmaker signs the deal, he will team up with long-time Reds partner Will Genia.

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