Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes his fly-half Quade Cooper does not deserve the abuse he is getting from New Zealanders.
The Wallabies playmaker has come in for vitriol since he arrived in New Zealand at the start of the World Cup and even declared himself the country's public enemy number one.
But Deans has come out in support of his playmaker and said the criticism Cooper has had to endure is unfair on the New Zealand-born pivot.
"There has been a lot made of something that's pretty small, really, when you look at it in the light of the whole game," said Deans.
"And that's tough for a young man. Whether he's warranted all that is a bit of a moot point."
After the All Blacks' 20-6 win over the Wallabies in Sunday's semi-final at Eden Park, their coach Graham Henry suggested Cooper could not expect respect from the Kiwi public as he had not earned it.
"I think Quade has brought a wee bit of that on himself," Henry said.
"He's got a wee bit of mileage to make up and he probably made up a bit tonight," he added.
But Deans praised Cooper for the way he has handled the criticism and he disagreed with Henry's views on his player.
"I've been very impressed actually with the way he's carried himself because clearly a lot of the dialogue has been unwarranted," he said.
"It's easy for people who really have no knowledge of the man to take a pot-shot. I think the way he's carried himself has been impressive under the circumstances."
Deans said he was confident that Cooper was in a position to move on and attain future success with the Wallabies.
"There's two ways he can go. You can absorb it, accept it for what it is, but maintain your focus on the things that are important and keep going," explained Deans
"Or you can let it get the better of you and turn your toes up. I'd like to think he won't be doing the latter."
Comments
rugbylover says...
@Trinats
bed-time for you sonny, school tomorrow.
Posted 22:12 19th October 2011
rugbylover says...
@ozinlondon
Any relation to trinats?
I have seen the antics of Mr Cooper. Have you? If so ¿ er, what is your [naturally] balanced opinion? In principle, yes you are correct. However, could you imagine Nick Farr-Jones or ¿Nobody¿ behaving on & off the field the way Quade Cooper does?
I do not condone any foul play tho¿ I don¿t equate a leg trip with kicking someone¿s head. I have seen truly monstrous behaviour from NZ players ¿ Richard Loe, and Tana Umaga [aided by Kevan Meealamu] on Brian O¿Driscoll.
I simply do not agree. Of course the press has piled in ¿ but Cooper¿s behaviour ¿dirty, cowardly treatment of McCaw is just not on.
I think the haka a silly piece of theatre designed to give the kiwis an unfair psychological edge at the start of a game. Bob Templeton struggled to find a counter [apart from simply winning] but Campo had the right attitude ¿ ignore it.
I agree, but R McCaw is without doubt THE BEST number 7 on the planet STILL. Pocock¿s day will come.
Black is the NZ rugby national rugby [indeed sporting costume (Olympics etc)] & has been for over 100 years [with occasional variations.] White is England¿s (usual) colour tho¿ with the sizeable kiwi contingent, perhaps black is now appropriate. Emerald Green for Ireland? Certainly. Green for SA? Yep. Red for Wales? Of course.
As an England supporter, my 2 favourite teams are Oz & NZ, BECAUSE they play the way William Webb Ellis would have applauded [with France & SA & now Wales coming into play]. To see an Australian team in full cry is a delight. THAT is what rugby is about. He would also have applauded the now-passé attitude of the song ¿ ¿.....play up & play the game.....¿. Cooper in no way whatsoever exemplifies that attitude [on or off the field] & you know it.
Posted 22:11 18th October 2011
OzinLondon says...
rugbylover
I gather you have had extensive contact with Cooper and are therefore in a position to judge his character and personality.
Or are you just another one of the many people who think they know someone because they have seen them play rugby, have read articles about them or because the media focus on one comment that they have made in a press conference?
Am I right in understanding that every player who commits foul play or niggle should now make a public apology (to the other player and anyone who has ever watched a game of rugby) in order for people not to boo them? If that's the case then there should be a hell of a lot of people being booed.
Ali Williams stuck his leg out and tripped an Aussie player in the last 3N game. About as cowardly and pathetic an act as anything Cooper has done. I'm yet to see a public apology, or a suggestion by Kiwi supporters that one should be made... yet no booing by Aussies.
I must have missed the many and varied public apologies made by NZ rugby players for foul play over the years.
The fact is the whole Cooper saga has been a media beat up that has taken on ridiculous proportions due to the inherent preciousness of Kiwi rugby supporters.
You MUST respect the haka and bow down to its magnificence (anyone who doesn't is racist)
You MUST NOT touch, niggle or penalise Richie McCaw without making a formal public apology (but anyone who mentions O'Driscoll should just get over it)
You MUST NOT wear black. We invented the colour, it belongs to us and only we can wear it.
NZ is always my second team and I hope the guys can finally get the monkey off their back this weekend. But the Cooper carry on just illustrates that you need to grow up and get some perspective. Hopefully a win this weekend will unlodge the very large chip on the shoulder and help along the way to adulthood.
Posted 13:12 18th October 2011
rugbylover says...
To Planet Rugby
You appear to have 2 websites - a RWC with different graphics. I am unable to make comments on these pages. Please tellme what I'm doing wrong.
Great website - my congratulations.
Regards.
The editor says.... Hi rugbylover. You need to register again for your comments to appear on the RWC ...but they will appear immediately.
Posted 12:59 18th October 2011
rugbylover says...
The life of Aaron Cruden, - his courage & dignity in the face of 2 life-threatening threats to his health might well be an example to Quade Cooper. No brushes with the law ¿ nor any person either.
I write this from Palmeston North, Cruden¿s hometown & I hope to get out alive. But boy is it cold & windy here ¿ all the time.
Posted 12:06 18th October 2011
rugbylover says...
@dolgun
I have it on good authority that trinats is actually 12 & three quarters. You really must make allowamnces for his youthful enthusiasm [always a good sign in my opinion] & his loyalty [he is after all an ockker - it defines them - chain-gang days I suspect].
Posted 11:22 18th October 2011
KiwiLad says...
Twoeyes, perhaps you should open them both, No Kiwi in recent times has labeled Robbie a traitor, personaly I have called him inept, An average coach and a NZRFU mole in the Aussie camp, perhaps Quade was his understudy in that role?
Posted 10:53 18th October 2011
rugbylover says...
Not so Mr Deans. Cooper is a talented (though inclined to choke) rugby player, but an inadequate, shallow, human being. If he grows up, & I hope he does,he could have a brilliant career.
Posted 09:55 18th October 2011
dolgun says...
@trinats
Have you heard of the word respect? Respect is something that is earned and Richie deserves truckloads of it. QC on the other hand gives and deserves very little respect. We all said the guy was going to be a massive liability during the RWC and what do you know? He was! Absoulutely woeful.
By the way, you sound like an eight year old. Yeah but Richie did this and yadda yadda yadda and what about BOD yadda yadda yaddda. Give it a rest, the articles about Quade. Move on trinats, move on.
Posted 09:44 18th October 2011
kahui says...
hahaha trinats! u lost now its time for u 2 shhhhhhh
Posted 08:50 18th October 2011
fijisamba says...
All these people saying that Richie Mccaw is rugby royalty and shouldnt be treated so seem to forget what Tana Umaga did to Brian O'Driscoll in the first few minutes of the Lions Tour....Its a game, a physical game, shit happens, get over it.
Posted 06:44 18th October 2011
eseiler1 says...
It would also appear that he has a deformed head.
Posted 04:22 18th October 2011
kpe12 says...
Not only did Cooper razz up the Kiwis but he brought the edge out in them, the little head rub on Pocock from Kaino, the niggle in the rucks. He probably brought that little extra to the ABs that they needed to get over their WC hump.
Posted 04:03 18th October 2011
Funk says...
spike19 says..."Just remember it the Irish who beat you down and sent on your SEMI FINAL EXIT COURSE!!!! "....as long as you remember that it was that win by Ireland that sent them down that QUATER FINAL EXIT COURSE!!!!!
Posted 02:53 18th October 2011
StunTheMullet says...
The Quadestile should have be more careful what he wishes for in the future.
Posted 01:11 18th October 2011
safehands says...
Too bad!!!!!
Posted 01:04 18th October 2011
twoeyes says...
While Cooper brought most of it on himself Kiwi fans should be big enought to let it be and grow up just as Cooper has to. If he had been stood down for a game after kneeing McCaw in the head that matter would have died a natruat death.
It is amusing here that Robbie is branded at traitor for coaching Aus while it is Ok for Henry,Smith,Gatland etc etc etc to go off and make their living as professional coaches. It just depends what part of the country you are from. Sometimes I am almost ashamed of being a Kiwi when so many show a total lack of sportsmanship.
Posted 22:28 17th October 2011
dolgun says...
If Coopers not regretting his actions yet then he will at some stage. This will go on for a very long time. Robbie, Coopers toes have definetly curled up - he hasn't had a good game all RWC. No one to blame but himself.
Posted 22:17 17th October 2011
rugby_phile says...
To everybody, stop defending this idiot QC. All it would have taken was an apology for his stupidity. Richie is not untouchable but kneing a guy in the head when he is pinned down is indefensible, and then being smart when he gets away with it. As for the other moron, Kearns, when referring to the incident a few weeks ago, commented: "I love it, bring it on, he is getting under their skin".
Sorry guys you can't have it both ways, you dish it out, be prepared to take it. The person who came out with credit here is Richie, sure he could break this twerp in two, but maintained his dignity and haven't even commented.
To Deans, mate I have a lot of respect for you, so don't defend the indefensible. And yes I agree with the comments about Kiwis not being angels (Richard Law etc.), wouldn't dream od defending them.
And for the record did anybody boo Pocock, Genia, O'Connor. Horwill etc? Of course not. Classy act and a lesson to QC about how "decent" human beings behave. Great players and well respected. GH was spot on, he brought it on himself. And still there is no sign of any humility, what a dork!!
I said he was a liability on a post here at the beginning of the WC and still don't understand why he is still ther, Barnes is such a better option.
Posted 21:59 17th October 2011
pastetaster says...
This RWC has been very damaging for Cooper.
With such a big attitude he needed to perform extremely well. But as it turned out he was really pretty hopeless. Badly exposed under the high ball, hopeless as a defender and skittish on attack.
Not only has he proved over-rated in rugby, his market value when he goes off to the NRL will have dropped massively.
Posted 20:20 17th October 2011