Cape Town - Quade Cooper has taken a parting shot at Reds coach Brad Thorn after his move to the Melbourne Rebels was rubber stamped by Rugby Australia.
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According to the rugby.com.au website's Beth Newman, Cooper is set to join the Rebels in 2019 with an announcement possible as early as the end of the week.
Cooper, now 30, has kept quiet about his 2019 plans for much of this season, adamant he was focused on playing club rugby and NRC in Queensland after Thorn told him he would not be required at the Reds.
The playmaker had previously turned down an approach from the Rebels , but with Thorn refusing to budge on his stance, Cooper's view changed.
SA-born Rebels coach Dave Wessels was keen to have Cooper move to Melbourne and team up with long-time Reds partner Will Genia.
With a A$650 000 salary burning a hole in their books, Queensland were more than happy to help facilitate Cooper's move.
Cooper made a pointed swipe at Thorn on Instagram on Monday, giving his strongest indication yet of his looming move.
Cooper posted a picture of the Wallabies v All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final where he attempts to hand off Thorn, 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."
Though he didn't reveal his next destination in the post, Cooper left no doubt that his days at the Reds are over.
Cooper has played 70 Tests for the Wallabies and 119 matches for the Reds.
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