Quade Cooper has a history of impressive performances in the green and gold, as one of the most exciting players to don the Wallabies jerseys this century.
At 37, his time as a Wallaby is behind him, but Cooper has not lost the urge to represent his nation, leading to a surprise code switch.
This shift from the former rugby star could see him in line to make his Olympic debut, as he helps to champion a new sport being introduced in LA.
Quade Cooper Olympics, explained
Quade Cooper is hoping to make his Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, as part of Australia's maiden flag football team.
The former Wallaby is looking to trade backwards passes for forward ones, as he throws his hat in the ring to be the quarterback for the Australian Olympic team, with the sport set to debut in LA.
He is currently part of an Australian team touring the USA, and despite being 37 years old he is confident he will still be ready in three years time.
"To be part of something that could potentially change the landscape for a lot of people in our country, all around the world, give them an avenue to play in a sport at the Olympics, is pretty special," Cooper told Code Sports earlier this year
"To be able to pave a way for a new sport that I could see take over a lot of space, and for a lot of people who love and want to participate in rugby or league or AFL, that’s very similar a lot of skills and attributes of the game that I love so much, would be cool.
"But to be able to do that and not have the head knocks, the broken bones and the collisions – I look at it from all aspects like that, and this is pretty exciting to be part of."
Cooper being named to the Australian touring team is a big step in realising his Olympic dreams, with American football Australia chief executive Wade Kelly saying that this is the first stage of the eventual team for the LA Games.
"Quade's an exceptional talent and one of a number of elite male and female athletes that have made it very clear that chasing flag football gold in LA28 is something that is extremely exciting for them," Kelly said.
"It’s getting increasingly competitive to be part of the AFA men’s and women’s flag football high performance program which is inevitable and a great thing for the program.
"It’s just another fantastic opportunity for our players to put their best foot forward and show their talent on the global stage as they chase their Olympic dream."
You are not promised the outcome - only the right to pursue it. 🤎🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/IDYmASrDFP
— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) June 22, 2025
The former rugby union star has also called on other Australian sports stars to make the move ahead of the next Olympics.
"You look at the guys like Reece Walsh, like [Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow], the way they move, the way they’re able to accelerate, how dynamic they are, how smooth and skilful they are," Cooper said.
"Then you’ve got Suaalii, having someone like him on each side because he’s got speed and he’s six-foot-five, he’s a giant, and now he’s toying with some of the best rugby players in the world."
Cooper recently played the final game of his tenure in Japanse rugby for Hanazono Liners, with his attention now firmly fixed on flag football.