Former Wallaby Quade Cooper has revealed his desire to play for the New Zealand Māori rugby team.
Cooper is currently playing club rugby in Brisbane, after being dropped by Super Rugby's Queensland Reds. He hasn't appeared for Australia since June 2017.
The 30-year-old says he's trying to reconnect with his Ngāpuhi heritage and representing the New Zealand Maori would be an ideal way to achieve that.
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"A lot of times people criticise you because I have played for Australia and things like that," Cooper told 1News.
"Sometimes I have felt, 'OK, that's a bit true', because I don't necessarily know enough about my family or my heritage, or what I'd like to know.
"I've been trying to learn a little bit more and trying to get a bit more knowledge on my roots - I think it's all a journey.
"If I was ever to play for the Māori one day, that would be another step in that journey."
Cooper moved across the Tasman from Tokoroa with his family as a 13-year-old.
"Sometimes, I didn't feel worthy of being Māori. Living in Australia you sort of, not forget, but it's not right on your doorstep.
"But I think being Māori, that's something that's inside you."
Cooper has played 70 tests for Australia.
Newshub.