Australia playmaker Quade Cooper hopes to make his comeback from a long-term achilles injury in the 2023 Rugby Championship.

He ruptured his achilles tendon during the Wallabies’ win against Argentina in August of the 2022 edition, and is almost midway through his recovery from damage that typically needs at least nine months to heal.

The 34-year-old will be in a race against time to avoid being ruled out of this year’s World Cup, which kicks off in September.

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Cooper, who plays in Japan for the Kintetsu Liners but is completing his rehabilitation back home in Queensland, spoke to the media this week Down Under as he gave an update on his recovery.

He told reporters: “I honestly can’t say [when I’ll be back]… and that’s not me trying to play hide-and-go-seek.

“It’s just that I genuinely don’t know. This type of injury has been one of the easiest I’ve had throughout my career. It’s just a time thing. The first three months is the most difficult part where you have to sit relatively still.

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“Ideally, I’ll be playing some football in Japan for my club Kintetsu Liners and that will be the best possible outcome,” Cooper added.

“If I’m able to do that, I’ll be in a place to be able to be selected for the RC [Rugby Championship] based on my performances there. I have no doubts of a comeback.

“I have no doubts about coming back to rugby but for me, the process of this whole journey has been more about discipline and what I choose to work on as a person which is everyday things.

“I’m not at all worried about coming back and how well I’ll play, I’m just enjoying the journey so far.”

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