Wales scrum-half Gareth Cooper is due back at his club next week © Getty Images

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Wales scrum-half Gareth Cooper aims to leave "a lasting impression" against the All Blacks when he makes what is likely to be his final Test appearance of 2008 on Saturday.

Unless rugby's politicians have a change of heart, neither Gloucester star Cooper nor Sale Sharks No.9 Dwayne Peel will be available for Wales' autumn finale against Australia next week.

Because the Wallabies clash falls outside the International Rugby Board's autumn Test window, clubs have first call on players, and both Gloucester and Sale are in Guinness Premiership action.

Cooper's preparation to face New Zealand this weekend has hardly been incident free. He sat on the bench for Gloucester against Saracens two days ago, although the IRB had ruled Wales did not have to release him from their autumn Test preparations.

Gloucester could yet face an investigation, but that would depend on the Welsh Rugby Union lodging a complaint with their English counterparts at Twickenham.

Cooper said: "I just do what I'm told. I know there was a big struggle going on about it, but I was told to just sit on the bench. Gloucester were good enough not to play me, so I was pretty happy about that.

"When I learned I was not involved in the Canada game last week, I knew there could be a chance to be playing for Gloucester that weekend. I just kept my mind on that and trained with Gloucester. I read in the newspapers that things were going on, but nothing was actually said to me.

"It looks like I will not be involved against Australia, but the hierarchy have made that decision and there is nothing I can do about it. Saturday could be my last international for a long time. The next game is coming in February so I have to make a lasting impression and give it everything on the weekend."

Cooper will be out of contract with Gloucester at the end of this season. Wales head coach Warren Gatland has expressed his desire to see leading Welsh players plying their club trade in Wales, and Cooper has already been strongly linked with a possible move to Cardiff Blues.

But the former Bath and Newport Gwent Dragons scrum-half said: "I haven't really thought about it.

"I have got seven or eight months left on my contract with Gloucester, and that is a hell of a long time in rugby. It has been a busy period for me in the last three weeks and all I have been concentrating on is the next game.

"I will probably think more about it in January when I begin speaking to Gloucester and I am allowed to speak to other clubs. At the moment, I'm a Gloucester player."

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