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
side_stepper says...
To be fair on him, I hope he's really remorseful..and does something about it
Posted 08:52 31st October 2012
Trinats2 says...
$40,000 for telling what is the truth.
Posted 08:35 31st October 2012