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Brisbane - Flyhalf Quade Cooper will continue to offer his "X-Factor" to Australian rugby until the end of 2012 after signing a one-year contract extension with the Wallabies on Thursday.
The 23-year-old's thrilling attacking play has made him a fixture in the Wallabies number 10 shirt over the last two years and helped fire the Reds to the top of the Super Rugby standings this season.
"It's an exciting time to be part of Australian rugby with the Reds going so well and the World Cup coming up, so I'm glad everything is now squared away," Cooper said.
Cooper, who has played 24 Tests for Australia since making his debut in 2008, said signing a one-year deal was a deliberate policy to avoid complacency and that a move to rugby league was an option at the end of the contract.
"I feel that it's a way to keep myself on my toes and keep improving," he added in a televised news conference in Brisbane. "I never want to rest on my laurels. Sometimes people get comfortable when they have a long-term deal."
In tandem with Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia, Cooper has been in brilliant form for the Reds this year and is the leading points scorer in Super Rugby with 166 points from four tries, 31 penalties, 22 conversions and three drop goals.
His decision is a boost to the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), who have already secured the services of 16 other Wallabies beyond the World Cup to continue what they believe could be the start of a new golden era for the twice world champions.
"Quade delivers an X-Factor, that is undeniable," ARU chief John O'Neill said.
"He has that rare ability to excite an audience and have a defence on alert every time he touches the ball. His vision for the game and athletic talent make him a born entertainer and sport is an entertainment business.
"Quade and his halves partner Will Genia have become superb and consistent contributors to the Reds and the Wallabies and it's hard to imagine a better double act in world rugby."
New Zealand-born Cooper flirted with a move to rugby league last season before signing a one-year deal to keep him in union through this year's World Cup and said the 13-man code remained an option for the future.
"I've been brought up playing both codes and I played rugby league right up until I was 18-year-old," he said.
"I'll definitely keep those options open. It's like being offered any job, you'd be naive not to look at it.
"(But now) it's all about playing well for the Reds and the Wallabies and hopefully being part of a big year for both."
