Found guilty: Quade Cooper
Australia pivot Quade Cooper has received a three-match suspended ban and fined $40,000 for his criticism of the Wallabies.
Cooper, 24, made headlines last month when he lashed out on social media at the "toxic" environment within the national squad and the defensive style of coach Robbie Deans, also stoking speculation he would defect to rugby league.
He repeated his grievances on a television programme less than a week later, saying he did not want to be involved with the Wallabies under the current regime because it was "destroying" him as a player and a person.
Cooper, currently sidelined with a knee injury, was hauled before an Australian Rugby Union (ARU) disciplinary hearing on Wednesday to explain himself and slapped with a fine and a ban.
The three-match ban was suspended as was $20,000 of the $60,000 fine on the proviso that Cooper be of good behaviour for the next two years - meaning he will be available for national selection once he recovers from his knee injury.
The Reds playmaker was contrite.
"I fell below par of what it is to be a Wallaby. I apologise," Cooper said after the ruling.
"It was a very fair hearing. The punishment that was handed down to me, I have full respect for.
"I look forward to having a big year, not only with my state but with the Wallabies."
Comments
new_j4a says...
@APV1,...and I was hoping to see a Bok return to #2 a couple of decades before England make #1....mind you, at the current rate of talent acquisition, you'll have a matching pair of SH teams in cricket and rugby before 2019.
Posted 18:05 02nd November 2012
new_j4a says...
@APV1...Oz $s mate....worth about 30p each last time i checked...hang on a bit, i just checked 65p each. What are those Ozzies doing down there?
Posted 18:02 02nd November 2012
georgesmith says...
R. Deans is a circus clown coach because his teams can't score against ABs. Worst Wallabies coach because his teams lose to Samoa, Ireland and also Scotland. What's next, Fiji!
Posted 08:47 02nd November 2012
isthatrightref says...
@ APV1: more like $300 at the Sunday markets if you know which stall to go behind...
The twitter tanty was dumb but after taking the comments down a private "sorry guys" followed by going on The Rugby Club & saying something like "I was venting my frustration at how things are going for me & the guys right now, I've had time to think about it & realise that what I said was wrong & disrespectful" would've put this whole mess to bed pretty quickly... instead he goes on said show, talks a load of sh1te, egged on by the panel it must be said, just about destroying his career. Whoever advised him how to handle that gig needs shooting.
Expect his ARU top-up to be down-graded once talks (suspended while the code of conduct charges were pending) resume. Hopefully he can keep his head down over the summer (no iPod or bouncer issues), get his knee & more importantly head right in time for S15 so we can see if 2011 (pre-RWC) was a one-off or if he's really as talented as his fan club claim...
As an aside, wonder what'll happen to KB when his own "bouncer issue" hit the courts. Had until just prior to Bledisloe 2 to settle out of court, apparently didn't do so but I've not seen any updates of late, perhaps someone out there knows what's going on?
Posted 21:34 01st November 2012
Trader2 says...
Philly
Only in the demented minds of a small minority of Wannabie supporters - 2 actually, Trinats and G Smith.
Posted 21:16 01st November 2012
Trinats2 says...
Wallaroo:
Of course he has failed us, I wouldn't let that stop me in winding the kiwis up !
With regards to him coming back (if he ever does) into the Wallaby frame, I'd put him at full back in a floating roll with Beale at 10 and O'Connor at 12 Tapuai at 13, giving two right foot kicking options and two left foot kicking options (Ships and Turner on the wings).
But that would be too much of an attacking backline for Deans !!!
Posted 20:49 01st November 2012
Philly says...
Why is Deans regarded as the worst Wallabies coach? They sit number 2 in the rankings above the Boks. They are the last team to have actually beaten the ABs, Their record against the Boks is pretty impressive. Obviously the last test being the exception. Surely Deans can't be the worst ?
Posted 13:42 01st November 2012
Wallaroo says...
@Trinats2 - give it a rest mate, you are way more intelligent than georgesmith. Just accept that your superhero has failed you, mate we are all let down at some stage by someone whom we have put on a pedestal.
Posted 13:31 01st November 2012
Wallaroo says...
Truth is, it doesn't really matter what the tribunal decided in regards to his return to the Wallabies.
A. After his derogatory comments, calling the environment toxic, which included defaming his team mates I sincerely doubt that he will be welcomed back.
B. He has broken trust with the coach and selectors for which he has not made any true apology or demonstrated that this was in no way the way he truly feels.Any leader worth their salt, which Deans is, knows that it would be detrimental to include a team member with a conflicting attitude and dismissive opinions.
C. Above all though, as Jonesy2 and JayStarr have indicated both Beale and JOC are stronger contenders anyway, however I personally think it is even deeper than this. IMHO Christian Leafliifano is a better option than QC.
Bottom-line. To remain competitive and continue to hold the #2 ranking the Wallabies don't need Cooper, however Cooper needs the Wallabies to maintain his profile and lifestyle. Poor bugger, a self inflicted demise.
Posted 13:26 01st November 2012
APV1 says...
@ new_j4a - if you're paying $1000 for a hot laptop, you're being ripped off, my friend. I'm sure I know a bloke who could get them for at least half that. Fell off the back of a lorry, he said. And his name's "Honest John", so you know you can trust him...
And do I take it that when you suggest that, "...the Boks' plans to return to their rightful spot at IRB #2." you mean behind England..?!
Posted 12:03 01st November 2012
Trinats2 says...
then it amazes me that anyone loyal to Australian rugby (I assume this includes you) would back this petulant w*nker. He is an embarrasment to the proud Wallaby jersey, especially to the players past and present who have battled and given far more than 100%!
Are we talking about Deans ?
Posted 09:24 01st November 2012
Kiwikev says...
@ 2EyedKiwi - Ah come on now; the Quadestile has some talent...
@ StunTheMullet - Wairarapa Bush indeed!
Posted 08:18 01st November 2012
georgesmith says...
It's not Q.Cooper's fault. All the players should learn from him and speak out against R. Deans' useless tactics. R. Deans is the worst Wallabies coach ever.
Posted 08:11 01st November 2012
new_j4a says...
It appears, on balance, that he is not a popular man. Pity. He had some spectacular offensive footwork. And his defense was a major factor in the Boks' plans to return to their rightful spot at IRB #2.
Posted 07:50 01st November 2012
mattlalor says...
Kurtley Beale and JOC superstars?!? Remember not so long ago people were saying Beale would never play 10 again after some discraceful games and JOC is lucky to be on any field at the moment because he is continuously injured. Yes Genia is a big part of his game but how many tries have the wallabies scored under deans game plans which blatently do not fit QC's play? a very ver dry spell. How is JOC considered the incumbant when he has played so few games against quality opposition when there are still injured 10s to return? surely not...
Posted 01:47 01st November 2012
Ferdie says...
From today's Sydney Morning Herald, this matter not quite finished as he has no contract offer to consider from ARU.
Although Cooper has signed a three-year deal with Super Rugby franchise the Reds, the ARU withdrew its top-up contract after the injured playmaker's remarks in September. Cooper must wait while the ARU decides whether to put its contract offer back on the table. Deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said the ARU had noted the tribunal's findings and would consider the next step in the contracting process. "Given the tribunal has handed down its decision, this matter as far as we are concerned has been finalised. ARU will now look at how we address the contract situation involving Quade Cooper."
Posted 01:25 01st November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
League is a great game JayStarr, you shouldn't knock something you know nothing about. However, I do agree QC is an idiot but that seems to be common opinion these days. Also, why does he always look like someone has just shht in his mouth, the guy needs to turn that frown upside down.
Posted 00:18 01st November 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
@Trinats8, if the truth is "(The environment) is one that I don't feel comfortable in and if I don't feel comfortable and if I don't feel that I can give 100 per cent for my country and that yellow jersey, that's a very big problem.", then it amazes me that anyone loyal to Australian rugby (I assume this includes you) would back this petulant w*nker. He is an embarrasment to the proud Wallaby jersey, especially to the players past and present who have battled and given far more than 100%!
@Kiwikev - he wouldn't get a game mate.
@rugbyphile and Jonesy - agreed - they look more dangerous without him, and thats without JOC
@Jaystarr - while he has the Willie Mason-esque attitude for league, the fact the he can't/won't tackle disqualifies him
Posted 21:21 31st October 2012
chisel68 says...
. He is self centred, cowardly and has no place in gold. Let him go to league, it suits his persona. I would rather see the sublime passing skills of Pat McCabe at 10 than this muppet.
Posted 20:59 31st October 2012
StunTheMullet says...
@ Kiwikev - You mean Heartlands Championship.... and someone from Wairarapa Bush, Buller or East Coast would readjust his attitude.
Posted 19:46 31st October 2012