Cooper Side-Steps Suspension
Aug 28,2011
Australia flyhalf Quade Cooper was cleared Sunday of a kneeing charge following his side's 25-20 victory over New Zealand in the Tri-Nations decider, less than a fortnight before the World Cup.
Cooper was cited by SANZAR for striking New Zealand captain Richie McCaw in the face with his knee during the second half of the match in Brisbane on Saturday.
A guilty verdict and suspension would have seen the 23-year-old miss the early matches of the World Cup, but SANZAR Judicial Officer Jannie Lubbe dismissed the foul play charge after reviewing video footage of the incident.
Cooper admitted his knee had made contact with McCaw's face but said the contact was accidental as he was getting up from the ground and he had no intention of striking his opponent.
After hearing evidence from Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and submissions by Cooper's legal counsel, Lubbe ruled that Cooper's account was in line with video footage of the incident.
He concluded that on the available evidence he was not satisfied on a balance of probability that Cooper was guilty and dismissed the citing.
McCaw was not injured in the incident and said after the match: "I didn't see it but I felt it. I don't know if it was intentional or an accident."
When asked about the incident at the post-match press conference, Cooper said: "I can't remember any incident, but that's rugby.
"It's a contact sport. Bodies are colliding left, right and centre. There's a lot of niggle going on out in the field."
The Wallabies' win over the All Blacks gave them their first Tri-Nations title in 10 years.
SAPA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9RYZStDdDI
Comments (10)
Aug 28, 2011 at 13:02:39
Cooper is such a coward. he doesn't ever take the ball into contact, doesn't make tackles and constantly throws cheap shots. Should have been given at least 2 weeks...
Aug 28, 2011 at 13:43:04
Doesnt matter they both p^lay the same type of game. Its SANZAR who is to blame for always looking the other way. Why does SA allow the ruthless verdics against them for just playing HARD. Thats BS. Now this makes it an easier WC for NZ think they will win it now.
Aug 28, 2011 at 19:45:28
I don't think this has been handled well. The kneeing Appeared intentional to me and cooper should have received a verbal Caution for his actions towards richie because he was being Childish the whole game towards richie.
To say cooper did nothing wrong is just ignorance.
Aug 28, 2011 at 20:03:27
Don't get me wrong,richie can irritate me badly when he Cheats and escape any punishment but I never so him as a dirty Player and quade in playing dirty now and he seems to be enjoying Embarrasing mccaw.
Its all gonna be fun until he gets sandwiched by bakkies ang alberts lol.
Aug 29, 2011 at 04:03:49
It seemed to be an accident to me. Look where his eyes are and his legs were being held or were jamed under somebody.
Aug 29, 2011 at 05:25:27
Richie Mccaw looks like a real wimp in this photo, being dominated by Cooper.. he.he.he. I think the All Blacks may have peaked before the world cup again. Lets MOER EM!
Aug 29, 2011 at 05:32:43
It was no accident. You see him line his knee up just before doing it. Coopers a fag baby and when Kaino comes back hes gonna fold him into a little box and kick him all the way back to Australian where his mother will go back to breastfeeding hiim again. Hes a coward and anyone who says "what if that was a springbok?", knows exactly what would have happened if that had been a springbok. There would be no argument. Intentional. Ban for at least 4 weeks.
Aug 29, 2011 at 09:23:42
Agreed. Bakkies or Schalk could've kissed their World Cup dreams goodbye if this had been one of them. Absolutely shocking!
Aug 29, 2011 at 10:09:21
Not accidental but really? that was a soft knee - Had it been Bakkies / Schalk it would have had a lot more behind it Im sure...
@pengaboy - your boy M Steyn takes the line on less, is a worse defender and guess what? SA no tries in how many games...?
Granted he is an excellent kicker - all players have strengths and weaknesses and Im telling you coopers on the rise...
ps no news here about illegal TRIP that Ali Williams did on AAC or the off the ball punch thrown by Mealamu (which I saw live @ the game...)
Aug 28, 2011 at 12:13:24
Can't help but ask, and if he was a Springbok?