Australia 7s rugby

But integrating Cooper into Australia's program and having the France-based playmaker commit to a 10-week training block before the August Games is the conundrum.

Friend will join the team during round three of the Sevens World Series in Wellington later this month after ending a three-season stint coaching Suntory Sungoliath in the Japanese Top League.

The Kiwi-born former Wallabies playmaker could begin his path to the Rio Olympics by playing in the Sydney sevens tournament.

The Daily Telegraph reports talks are well advanced between Cooper and the Australian Rugby Union, with the 27-year-old givenclearance by his new French club Toulon to play in three sevens lead-up tournaments and then compete in the Rio Games next year, before returning to France.

At one stage the ARU were not satisfied with just three tournaments but are now reportedly prepared to give Cooper a chance at his Olympic medal dream.