Quade Cooper has placed his rugby union career on hold after revealing he’ll make his boxing debut on the undercard of close friend Sonny Bill Williams’ bout with South African Frans Botha in Brisbane on February 8.

While not quitting rugby, the disgruntled Wallabies playmaker admitted his future in the 15-man game was clouded after receiving a downgraded, incentive-based offer from the Australian Rugby Union this month which he would not accept.

Cooper’s agent Khoder Nasser said there was a ‘‘total communication breakdown’’ in negotiations with the ARU which had left a bitter taste with the 24-year-old.

But the 38-Test five-eighth said his desire to continue his rugby career remained strong and reiterated his wish to take up his still unratified three-year contract to play Super Rugby with the Queensland Reds which is stalled by the ARU talks.