AUSTRALIA’S QUADE COOPER says he will remain the same player despite the taunts from the media and supporters that blighted his World Cup.

The fly half was born in Auckland and was mocked incessantly by New Zealand fans during their 20-6 win over Australia on Sunday, while his unpredictability on the field and indiscretions off it have made him a target for the general public.

“Everyone is trying to get at me personally,” Cooper said after the match. “I think I’m definitely going to be better off for it.

“The way everyone came at me from all angles, whether it be media, the crowd, trying to make a big buzz out of it. I got used to it and I think I grew a lot of confidence out of it.

“I’m not in a position to point fingers about that or have a cry about it. It’s there, it’s going to happen and it has happened. For me it was just about getting on and doing the best that I could for my team and I feel that I did that

“It’s been the case throughout the whole tournament from the minute I stepped off the plane, to the minute I’m sure that I get on the plane.”

Meanwhile Australian coach Robbie Deans accused his native New Zealanders of taking unwarranted pot-shots at the player.

“It has been tough for a young man,” The Guardian reports Deans as saying.

“A lot has been said about him and whether he has warranted it is a moot point. There are two ways he can go: absorb it and accept it for what it is but maintain your focus on the things that are important, or you can let it get the better of you and turn your toes up. I would like to think he will not be doing the latter.

To read more from Cooper himself, check out the official Rugby World Cup site here >

For Deans’ perspective, check out The Guardian’s site >