Ruled out: Quade Cooper
Wallabies pivot Quade Cooper needs more surgery on the same knee he injured at last year's World Cup and has been ruled out of the rest of the Rugby Championship.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) confirmed scans showed a small chip of cartilage in Cooper's right knee and the playmaker would need an operation "to clean up" the problem.
Having only recently returned for the Wallabies, Cooper will miss Australia's final two games of the competition in South Africa (on September 29) and Argentina the following weekend.
However, Cooper's injury is not long term and he may be available for the end-of-year tour to Europe.
The injury compounds a troublesome season for Cooper, who put in one of his worst Test efforts of his 38-cap career in Australia's come-from-behind win over Argentina last Saturday.
The Queensland playmaker made a string of errors that contributed to Australia trailing 19-6 before they rallied late to win 23-19.
Australia will name a 28-man squad for the matches against the Springboks and Pumas on Wednesday.
Comments
oldschool says...
Here is the team made up of those in the casualty ward (from fullback):
James O'connor
Lachie Turner
Rob Horne
Christian Lealiifano
Drew Mitchell
Quade Cooper
Will Genia
Wycliff Palu
David Pocock
Ben McCalman
James Horwill
Sitaleki Timani
Dan Palmer (I think)
Stephen Moore
Sekope Kepu
Arguably a stronger side than the next test side that will run out. Maybe indicates that Australia's depth is on the improve given they've held their own (excluding against NZ) in the RC to date...
Posted 04:34 20th September 2012
TheTruthHurts says...
@hellovanite, i like your thinking, those guys would be a welcome sight in the gold jersey again...
Posted 15:45 19th September 2012
Scrumpoacher says...
Where's this lack of depth? Still winning against SA and a surprisingly competitive Argie side with some big names missing-sure it may not be as pretty to watch as a year ago or so but winning is the aim isnt it? That said, a better grassroots system would give us an even sharper edge...
Posted 15:20 19th September 2012
Ramage says...
Oh dear georgesmith you are a one trick pony and not very bright. You come across as a real dumb sad sack . Get over it.
Posted 12:49 19th September 2012
hellovanite says...
O'Connor or recall for Giteau?
Posted 12:34 19th September 2012
APV1 says...
I hope he gets well soon. As sandal says, when firing, he's a great player to watch.
The Aussies do seem to be suffering more than most with regards to injuries and it's highlighting their lack of depth.
Who's going to be the Aus 10 now..?
Posted 11:42 19th September 2012
isthatrightref says...
So what does Deans do now? Leave Barnes at 15 to field the 20-odd up- and-unders the 'boks will snd his way, move Beale to 10 & hope for the best? or shift Barnes back to 10, return Beale to 15 & hope for (a) Beale not to drop too many of the afore-mentioned 20-odd up-and-unders and (b) Barnes not to get so rushed by the 'bok D that he feels he has no option but to kick?
Or does he bite the bullet & shift Barnes to 10, give him Harris at 12 as the alternate first receiver he so desperately neeed in Sydney, shift McCabe out & AAC back (waste of what may be the 2nd best 13 in the SH but desperate times & all that)?
Gee, 707 characters & I never mentioned the other D word (or lack thereof) once!
Posted 11:39 19th September 2012
cuw3100 says...
Hmmm, this sort of thing seems to happen in Australia a lot; people getting back into games without healing properly.
Is it thepressure to retain the spot in the team??
a good example is OZ cricket captain Michael Clarke who had on going problems with his back; he palyed before being fully fit and got injured again. same with punter.
Posted 05:41 19th September 2012
sandal says...
Shame. Although he drew a lot of criticism after the Argentina game, I thought he was showing glimpses of his old form. At his best he is a terrifically good player.
Posted 04:19 19th September 2012
kiwilad says...
He requires more surgery on his knee??
Did the rest of his teammates kick it after the match?
Posted 03:51 19th September 2012
georgesmith says...
What's next? Move N. Sharpe to playmaker because he is so great.
Posted 00:41 19th September 2012
jash says...
Error was not his...the coaching style of Robbies Deans is hopeless...SACK HIM
Posted 23:59 18th September 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
This is a real pity for the young fella so early in to his career.
That said - a blessing in disguise for Robbie and the Aussies, as Quade simply isn't up to it at test level yet.
Posted 23:28 18th September 2012
Trader2 says...
Dammit! the Wannabies are in with a chance now.
Posted 23:14 18th September 2012
melkdave says...
Well not a real surprise i thought he was rushed back just a tad to soon .The pity is he will now struggle to make the aurtum tests ,i feel.
Posted 21:14 18th September 2012
KubilaKhan says...
Knee huh? It could be that or the fact that he played like he was drunk and shouldn't be allowed any where near the test side.
Posted 20:53 18th September 2012
mime says...
Damn jsut what the Ozzies need. Even I am starting to feel sorry for them, and I'm a Kiwi.
Posted 20:43 18th September 2012
daibok says...
Shame about the injury but I think Australia are a better side without Cooper.
Posted 16:23 18th September 2012
tweedledee49 says...
or they could stop lying and just tell us the reason he is being dropped is because he is crap.
Posted 15:36 18th September 2012
lalby says...
Quade Cooper should be happy, avoiding travel to Rosario, we are awaiting oz with high pleasure....... and friendly welcome .......
Posted 15:16 18th September 2012