Quade Cooper should play Super Rugby to be considered for Wallabies - Michael Cheika

Australia head coach Michael Cheika insisted that returning to Super Rugby and striking form will be vital for Quade Cooper to have any chance to return back to the Wallabies set-up.

The fly-half has featured in 70 Tests for Australia contributing 154 points but his last appearance came in June last year during the clash against Italy in Brisbane.

The 30-year-old is currently on his second stint with Reds after representing them previously between 2007 and 2015 but things haven't quite gone to place for him as new head coach Brad Thorn had banished him for the squad before the start of the ongoing season.

Cooper is currently paid $650,000 by Rugby Australia and Queensland Reds as he represents Brisbane Souths and has reported to have declined offers from Rebels and Brumbies which did not go well with Cheika.

"If he hadn't had the opportunity to go and play Super Rugby I would say yes [to picking him out of club rugby] because fair enough, it's not his fault, but he's being offered opportunities and I think he should take them," he said.

"But he's been offered opportunities and I think he should take one – and I would like him to take one of them so he can get up there and be in the position."

The Wallabies boss also made it clear that playing for Souths will by no means keep Cooper in contention for Australian return.

"I want to be clear," said Cheika on Fox Sports. "I've been watching his club footy games. It's been really good actually. The standard of the comp in Brisbane - because I've been watching more games for that reason - it's been outstanding.

"But (he needs to) even just go and get a couple of games at the (Super Rugby) pace. It goes up a level so then, when it comes to the Test, you'll be ready to go. He has to have form on the board, like all players."

When asked about Thorn's decision to not consider Cooper for Reds, Cheika said he would not influence or involve in any of the club level selection policies.

"If we want to start to build a proper type of collaboration, where the national team's involved with the states, you've got to trust and respect what the coaches are doing as well," Cheika said.

So if he's (Thorn) saying there's no way he's coming back in, I trust him."