Australian Rugby
Cooper appeal dismissed
Scrum.com
July 28, 2010

Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper has failed in his bid to overturn a two-week ban for a dangerous tackle on South Africa's Morne Steyn during last Saturday's Tri-Nations clash in Brisbane.

As a result the 22-year-old will miss Australia's next two Tri-Nations matches against New Zealand in Melbourne this weekend and their second Bledisloe Cup clash in Christchurch on August 7.

Cooper's appeal was based on the fact his two-week penalty covered two Tri-Nations clashes whereas Springbok Jaque Fourie's four-week punishment for a tackle in the same match would see him miss just one Tri-Nations encounter and two relatively insignificant Currie Cup rounds.

The decision followed a marathon six-hour teleconference after which the SANZAR appeals committee comprising of Peter Hobbs (New Zealand, chair), Terry Willis (Australia) and Peter Ingwersen (South Africa) ruled against the in-form No.10.

''I'm obviously disappointed to miss two Bledisloe Cup games, but we did have a fair appeal,'' Cooper said last night. ''Playing this weekend was something I was looking forward to, especially it being [a Tri Nations match] … All I can do from here is concentrate on getting back out there. I'll try to keep my fitness up and work as hard as possible, and hopefully work my way back into the side.''

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans omitted Cooper from the side he announced yesterday following news of the ban with Matt Giteau moving to fly-half in Cooper's absence, opening the way for the return of Berrick Barnes at inside centre.

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