Wallabies great Quade Cooper finally becomes an Australian citizen after five-year fight

Wallabies great Quade Cooper has finally become an Australian citizen at a ceremony on Thursday, marking the end of a five-year saga.

The New Zealand-born rugby star, who has played 75 Test matches for Australia, had been knocked back four times over strict requirements he could not meet due to his overseas commitments.

But his push gained traction and the Australian government changed eligibility rules late last year to ensure “distinguished applicants” could be eligible to become a citizen.

Cooper sat his test in Tokyo, Japan - where he is playing for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners - in December.

He attended a ceremony on Thursday.

“After five years, five attempts, 75 Test matches and a lot of help from the community and many people behind the scenes, I can finally say I’m Australian,” he wrote on Twitter.

“To my immigration officer Sarah Lolesio thank (you) for your efforts and countless hours of work. Grateful.”

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Cooper received widespread support when he ramped up his efforts to become a citizen in recent years.

Citizenship rules demanded applicants must have lived in Australia for the past four years and not be absent for more than 12 months during that time.

The regulations also stated applicants could not be out of the country for more than 90 days during the year before applying.

Cooper, who moved to Australia when he was 13, made his name with the Queensland Reds and first represented Australia as a junior in 2005.

He debuted for the Wallabies in 2008, qualifying through residency, and his citizenship case was brought back into the spotlight last year.

He was recalled to the Australian