Cooper out of Rugby Championship
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Australia five-eighth Quade Cooper will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship due to a knee injury.
Cooper underwent scans on his right knee in Brisbane on Tuesday which revealed a small chip of articular cartilage which will require surgery.
It is the same knee which was operated on after last year’s world cup but, according to a Wallabies statement, the injury is not long-term and the enigmatic Cooper is expected to be available for Australia’s spring tour of France, England, Italy and Wales in November.
“It is not a long-term injury and so may not rule Cooper out of the Wallabies Spring Tour in November,” team officials said in a statement.
“A decision on the flyhalf’s availability for that trip will be made once his rehabilitation is underway.”
Cooper said on his Twitter account he was remaining positive.
“Don’t dwell on the so called negatives in life..I’m very grateful for everyone’s support & for the way ya all keep help me stay positive..” he tweeted.
The injury compounds a troublesome season for Cooper. He put in one of his worst Test efforts of his 38-cap career in the Wallabies’ come-from-behind win over Argentina last Saturday night on the Gold Coast.
The Queensland playmaker made a string of errors that contributed to Australia trailing 19-6 before they rallied late to win 23-19.
Cooper also missed the Reds’ Super Rugby qualifying final defeat in July due to suspension. His recovery from the ACL injury suffered in the bronze medal world cup playoff against Wales meant he was unavailable for much of the Super Rugby season.
Ironically, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said after the win over the Pumas that injury worries within the squad were likely to spare Cooper the axe following his below par performance.
Australia’s squad for their final two Rugby Championship Tests in South Africa and Argentina will be named on Wednesday.
© AAP 2013
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- Quade Cooper, Rugby Union, wallabies
September 18th 2012 @ 9:42pm
liam said | September 18th 2012 @ 9:42pm | Report comment
no loss for the aussies.
September 18th 2012 @ 10:43pm
Vic said | September 18th 2012 @ 10:43pm | Report comment
We might be a chance of winning it now and the extra test against the Kiwis.
Quade is pretty over-rated and error prone. The Carl Hooper of rugby.
September 18th 2012 @ 11:28pm
Gravity Basher said | September 18th 2012 @ 11:28pm | Report comment
Ease up on the bloke It’s clear he’s out of touch because of the public hating
September 19th 2012 @ 4:23am
Kane said | September 19th 2012 @ 4:23am | Report comment
Whose faults that? It’s become clear that he can talk the talk but cannot walk the walk.
September 19th 2012 @ 5:59am
Post said | September 19th 2012 @ 5:59am | Report comment
What talk has he been doing exactly? Oh that’s right you’re just full of it.
September 18th 2012 @ 9:58pm
biltongbek said | September 18th 2012 @ 9:58pm | Report comment
Still bad luck for the guy, he hasn’t played much rugby at all this year.
Difficult to gain form when that happens.
September 18th 2012 @ 10:15pm
Matt said | September 18th 2012 @ 10:15pm | Report comment
You got the feeling that he was ready to put the head down, negotiate his contract for the long term and get to work becoming a better all round player. Possibly one the Wallabies could rely on to close the gap with the AB’s and usher through an exciting era for their team.
Unfortunately he has continued to be affected by injury and just hasn’t had the game time (or the front foot ball) to work his usual magic. He has certainly maintained a maturing attitude following his public enemy tag in RWC2011 and has also bulked up his much criticised defensive game with much more aggression and reposibility. It bodes well for the long term, where the same attitude could see Cooper add more to his tactical kicking game and decision making.
It will be good for him to come back for the NH tour with a few more of the top Wallaby selections returning to start putting together the foundations of what will be a big year for Australian rugby and the Wallabies in 2013 (with the Lions tour). As Kiwi fan I wish him the best of luck. An uninjured Quade Cooper is gold for the game in general and the Bledisloe and Super Rugby matches specifically. Australia needs genuine stars and Cooper is definitely one of those, he’s still a young guy so I personally don’t put too much stock in one or two rash decisions made as a youngster thrust into the bring spotlight.
September 18th 2012 @ 10:31pm
Short-Blind said | September 18th 2012 @ 10:31pm | Report comment
And now the cupboard is tres bare…JOC has a dodgy hammy, Beale a beer gut and Barnes a fear of contact and passing in front of the man
. If only Lieliofano wasn’t injured!! Our odds for a win on the trek da la loco are blowing out faster than Kurtley’s waste line. RD will pick Barnes and the same dross will be served, shame that. I’d pick Foley or Holmes and give them a crack.
September 18th 2012 @ 10:37pm
biltongbek said | September 18th 2012 @ 10:37pm | Report comment
you can have Morne steyn.
September 18th 2012 @ 11:04pm
biltongbek said | September 18th 2012 @ 11:04pm | Report comment
Really?
NO takers for Steyn?
September 19th 2012 @ 9:16am
El Gamba said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:16am | Report comment
We’ll take him at the Force.
We’ll take anyone at the Force.
September 19th 2012 @ 10:36am
AussieKiwi said | September 19th 2012 @ 10:36am | Report comment
Well you took Michael Foley so I guess what you are saying must be true!
September 19th 2012 @ 11:47am
El Gamba said | September 19th 2012 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Exactly how I feel.
I’m not proud.
Jeez I hope we aren’t too terrible next year, it will be bad for Australian rugby.
September 19th 2012 @ 4:26am
Kane said | September 19th 2012 @ 4:26am | Report comment
Whose to say Christian (another New Zealand born player) would excel at test level? I know its very possible that he will but many people are putting all their stocks in him when he is yet to play a test.
September 18th 2012 @ 10:41pm
Johnno said | September 18th 2012 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
Blessing in disguise. Deans will now be able to sleep easier knowing he won’t have to pick him.
September 18th 2012 @ 10:56pm
PeterK said | September 18th 2012 @ 10:56pm | Report comment
What a disaster especially because conservative Deans will revert to Barnes and we will lose both test matches.
As short-blind says the cupboard is bare.
I would pick Beale at 10. Beale can be unfit for 10, at 15 he needed all his zip, less so for 10.
September 19th 2012 @ 6:01am
Post said | September 19th 2012 @ 6:01am | Report comment
Have to agree, give Beale a crack at 10 and see how he goes. Even if BB is given the 10 jersey, I imagine Beale will get some time there since Barnes’ chronic cramps and head worries should see him subbed off at some point.
September 19th 2012 @ 9:18am
El Gamba said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:18am | Report comment
I think that Beale will affect the timing of the backline less as he plays a similar style Quade. I felt the timing was starting to come at times against Argentina (last 20 minutes perhaps!) which was missing in the first 3 games.
September 19th 2012 @ 3:22am
Dexter William said | September 19th 2012 @ 3:22am | Report comment
What a disaster indeed. Nothing beautiful to watch in the WB line-up now.
Good luck with Rehab QC.
Good Bye RD, and good riddance.
September 19th 2012 @ 6:20am
Red Kev said | September 19th 2012 @ 6:20am | Report comment
Well I hope Deans gives Kurtley a shot at 10 instead of Barnes. Then again I also hope he brings Tapuai into the team and that won’t happen either.
September 19th 2012 @ 9:19am
El Gamba said | September 19th 2012 @ 9:19am | Report comment
Is Tapuai playing club rugby this weekend RK?
September 19th 2012 @ 10:02am
bill said | September 19th 2012 @ 10:02am | Report comment
He played 12 for Sunnybank last weekend. He will play in the grand final this coming weekend, unless he is named in the Wallaby tour squad.
September 19th 2012 @ 10:15am
El Gamba said | September 19th 2012 @ 10:15am | Report comment
Thanks bill, will be heading down for a look either way. A mate coaches them so I should have known but I’ve missed a couple of games..
September 19th 2012 @ 5:31pm
bill said | September 19th 2012 @ 5:31pm | Report comment
Actually, I just read that Tapuai (and Harris and Simmons) have been included in the Wallabies squad, but will play the GF and then join the tour later. Should be a good game on Sunday. Not sure if I can make it yet.
September 19th 2012 @ 6:35am
Worlds biggest said | September 19th 2012 @ 6:35am | Report comment
I’ve been calling for Beales head however with Cooper out and Barnes penchant for kicking maybe Beale at 10. I’d also like to see Foley given a run off the bench. It’s a fair task playing Boks on high veldt and then Argies in front of a rabbid crowd so I wouldn’t be throwing Foley to the wolves just yet. It looks like Taps will have to wait for the end if season tour. Why he has A Faianga on the bench beggers belief. Anyway get the knee right QC.
September 19th 2012 @ 7:44am
Gonzo said | September 19th 2012 @ 7:44am | Report comment
Isn’t JOC just about ready to run on?