Former Wallabies star Quade Cooper has turned heads with a the unexpected confession that he hopes to play for the Māori All Blacks one day.
Cooper, who is of Ngāpuhi descent, recently opened up on his early life struggles and loss of cultural identity after moving from Tokoroa to Australia in his youth.
But he also admitted in his journey to reconnecting to his roots, he desires to one day don the black jersey.
"If I was ever to play for the Māori one day, that would be another step in that journey," he told Marae's Jordan Vaha'akolo .
"A lot of times people criticise you because I have played for Australia and things like that.
"Sometimes I have felt, 'OK, that's a bit true' because I don't necessarily know enough about my family or my heritage or what I'd like to know."
Players selected in the Māori All Blacks "must have Māori whakapapa or genealogy confirmed in order to represent the side," the All Blacks' website says, meaning Cooper could technically represent the side despite playing for Australia.
In 2003, Otago midfielder Ryan Nicholas was selected in the despite having played Sevens for the Cook Islands.
The 30-year-old has played 70 Tests for the Wallabies but has been on the outer in Australian Rugby after Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn expelled him from the team earlier this year.
As a result, the first-five has been plying his trade in Brisbane club rugby with Souths, his first ever club, looking to work his way back into Super Rugby.
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