Quade Cooper is hopeful another New Zealand-born Wallaby will be able to benefit from recent changes to Australia’s eligibility rules after passing the country’s citizenship test.
Shortly after sitting the test in Japan, where he plays for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, Cooper took to social media to reveal he passed but not before shedding light on the plight of former teammate Joe Tomane, who Cooper said was “locked out” of Australia this year and forced to fly to New Zealand.
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Born in Palmerston North before moving to Australia at a young age, Tomane played for the Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans in the NRL prior to switching codes, where he earned 17 caps for the Wallabies between 2012-2015.
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“My brother and Wallabies teammate Joe Tomane was locked out of the country he’s lived in since mince months of age and forced to fly and quarantine in NZ earlier this year because he also didn’t fit the criteria of what it took to be identified as Australian… despite standing side-by-side in the Green and Gold,” Cooper wrote on Instagram.
“Hopefully he will be the next person to benefit from this law change and be able to fly home to his family and friends soon.”
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Cooper was born in Auckland and moved to Australia at 13. But despite playing 75 tests for the Wallabies, he had four previous citizenship applications knocked back due to unique difficulties he faced meeting the requirements as an international sportsman.
The 33-year-old was given widespread backing after explaining his touring schedule and stints overseas meant he couldn’t meet the rules which demand citizenship applicants must have lived in Australia for the past four years and not be absent for more than 12 months during that time.
The regulations also stated they can’t have been out of the country for more than 90 days during the year before applying.
Yet in September, the immigration minister Alex Hawke confirmed the rule change that would allow more flexibility for worthy applicants including top athletes, artists, business people and scientists.
Cooper was grateful just to be able to sit the test but, despite some “difficult questions”, he had more reason to celebrate on Friday.
“Crazy day today, not going to lie,” he wrote. “I was super nervous as there were some difficult questions on the citizenship test and I felt that if I failed, everyone’s efforts may have been for nothing. But in truth, the law change itself is the victory.
“Ps I passed.”
This article was originally published on stuff.co.nz and is reproduced with permission