QUADE Cooper has signed with Australian rugby for the next three years but will delay any call on rejoining the Reds until the head coach riddle is finalised.

The enigmatic flyhalf could be locked in as Queensland’s playmaking saviour as early as next week if the jigsaw pieces fall the right way with the coaching staff.

“For me, my heart is here and I’m always going to be wanting to play here,” a bare-chested Cooper said on Wednesday after a solo kicking session at Ballymore.

Cooper is rebuilding his fitness for Wallabies camp next week after a month’s holiday in Europe following his chequered 15-game stint with French club Toulon.

“I’m swaying towards playing in Queensland but I’ve got to make an educated decision,” Cooper said.

Quade Cooper training at Ballymore on Wednesday. Source: News Limited

“Obviously, who is to coach the Reds is a big thing because you don’t want to make a call on whispers one way or the other.”

The Queensland Rugby Union may announce Cooper’s preferred option Nick Stiles, Matt O’Connor or Crusaders boss Todd Blackadder as head coach on Monday.

The 58-Test Wallaby has also heard good things about O’Connor, who he has never worked with.

It is not just the head coaching question but the cascading effect on the support staff.

If Stiles got the top job, it is unlikely that O’Connor would stick around. That would mean finding a new backs coach, which is clearly of major significance for Cooper.

Should O’Connor’s hard-love approach get the nod, he would be the backs mentor for Cooper to work with.

Just how critical the coaching set-up is to Cooper was emphasised in March, when he hit the “like” key on a tweet announcing the sacking of Reds coach Richard Graham.

He is not shying away from an action many thought insensitive or that the Melbourne Rebels are his other option.

“Why hide? Richard is a good person, the effort was there and he did an amazing job as a skills coach when he was at the Wallabies. But head coaching is different,” Cooper said.

Quade Cooper. Source: News Limited

Quade Cooper back in training at Ballymore. Source: News Limited

“It was just not the right fit and I wasn’t enjoying it.

“I’m not now playing the Reds off against the Rebels.

“The Rebels have been professional and just said if something is going to draw you away from Queensland, it’s what we can offer as a rugby program.”

Cooper said the Reds’ recruitment of high-achievers Stephen Moore and George Smith was a strong move beyond just technical skills.

“They are excellent players, there is a foundation of a good young guys at the Reds and the last piece is a good culture which is the glue for everything,” Cooper said.

“I’m 28 and I don’t want to waste another day of my career because of my own doing or someone else.

“I’ve committed to Australian rugby for the next three years and the only gap missing on the piece of paper is ‘Super Rugby club?’

“I want to set a good example of what it is to be professional and successful next year.”

* Sunnybank will be without Reds winger Junior Laloifi (broken hand) for Sunday’s Premier Rugby minor semi-final against Souths at Ballymore.