coach John Boe and Australian lock Garrick Morgan. It was reported by The Sunday Mail early 2008 that the New Zealand Rugby Union showed interest and had held preliminary talks with Cooper's management team after he would be off contract at season's end with Queensland. It was understood the Hurricanes were in line for his signature, and including a possible defection to rugby league. Cooper was involved in a famous upset five-tries-to-one victory over the Bulls. Head coach Phil Mooney made six changes to the side that started against the Stormers the previous week, which earned Cooper's first start of the 2008 season. Cooper performed a try assist after a chip kick to Morgan Turinui in the 72nd minute, securing their first bonus-point victory in four years. Cooper was amongst seven Super 14 players included in the Australian national under-20 side after coach Brian Melrose confirmed the team naming for the inaugural 2008 IRB Junior World Championships in June. Cooper impressed, coming third in most conversions converted behind Francois Brummer and Trent Renata of New Zealand. Australia had the youngest and heaviest squad in the tournament. After receiving age-grade honors, Cooper was later selected for Australia in their 2008 end-of-year tour campaign. He made his international test debut against Italy, as a substitute back. Cooper scored a late try to help Australia to a victory over Italy in Padova, with eight minutes remaining. He made another further two replacement appearances against France and Wales before playing in the historic match against the Barbarian F.C. at Wembley Stadium. It marked the celebration of Australia winning the rugby gold medal at the 1908 London Olympics. Cooper was involved in a touchline fight between Federico Pucciariello after tussling into the advertising boards and needed to be separated by colleagues and verbally warned by referee Chris White. National Rugby League clubs and NZRU officials came up unsuccessful in attempting to sign Cooper in 2009. The New Zealand Rugby Union showed interest in luring him back to New Zealand as they faced a possible loss of New Zealand international first five-eighth Dan Carter. Cooper instead re-signed with Australia and the Reds. After repeating another near bottom of the table finish, Cooper was one of just four players and the only member of the backline to appear in all thirteen matches during the Reds 2009 Super 14 campaign. He scored four tries, which was second only