Quade Cooper cleared of kneeing McCaw

FACT - Who is Copper? And what has the World Rally Championship got to do with anything? Or did you mean the defunct World Rugby Corporation? Is it back? Should the IRB be worried? FACT - Unlike Australia, I think the AB's are perfectly capable of beating a PI team with a few second string players, so I think the AB's should be able to get past Tonga without them. We've also got a fairly handy replacement for Thomson - Jerome Kaino. Heard of him? FACT - I don't think anyone ever said they could. FACT - Australia have lost their last...hmmm, I'll have to check...12 tests in NZ and in quite convincing fashion. The only reason I'm 'bleating' about Cooper is that I think he's a bit of a tool. And it amuses me that Wallaby fans try and justify his toolishness. It hurts not at all. But suck it up cause we've still got the Bledisloe.

JB remind me in another post and I will lay a few down but if you pick this one up "Big Bird f.....!" was perhaps the funniest with "Come over here and I f... you up you yellow c..." perhaps the least tastefull but worst thing about that, mate I'm 6 2" and solid so no fear, was that it came from a woman! Kids were great in their banter , "go the ABs"and old school and families were cheeky, on the return leg of my run after getting a "Cheeky bugger" from a deck on the first pass the second comment was a cracker "see you still don't look as good in the second half", good laugh by all! It is the young twenties seem to have the questionable attitude, but I guess we were all young and stupid, eh.

Need to clarify with Chuck if I posted that I was dissapointed with the Boks for sending a weakened side through to NZ and Aus but pretty sure I thought/said it was a good call by PDV but silly that there were 21 injuries! It may be seen by you as a lukewarm tournament but the body language and then again the verbals from Hansen and McCaw beg to differ. Best AB 22 at the time against the best Wallaby 22 at the time and starting spots up for grabs for the RWC, think this wasn't a "lukewarm match". Just as the Wallabies would be concerned about the second half slow down the ABs would be as concerned about being left in the starting blocks for 40minutes. Though the final 20 minutes including Genia's try was the crux of the game, both sides in it but composure was with the Wallabies and for me that was a huge turning point for this team and will obviously be a massive confidence boost. I agree with you on the home advantage as illustrated by the Wallabies making the 2003 final against expectations but as France had in 1999 and Aussie had in 2003 the crowd can make as much noise as possible but you still have to play at your best to win.

:) Vincent. This is a fun thread or am I just in a damn good mood today ?

So now Cooper has another weapon in his 'arsenal'. He has the no-look pass and the no-look kick, along with the no-look tackle and the no-look knee-to-the head.

Being a Kiwi that has picked Australia to win the world cup (allowing for the All Blacks to choke again as I’m sure they will when the real pressure goes on) I’m concerned that cooper is painting a huge target on himself – he will have every big strong opposition player lining up to run through/over or past him when he jumps out of the way. He needs to learn cheap shots don’t give a tough guy reputation (unless you are Richard Loe but thats another story)

We are all well aware that the RWC is in New Zealand. The massive loss in revenues due to small stadiums and advertising rev's is pretty hard to miss. Don't think it is hard to argue this world cup should have gone to Japan to really push Rugby as a world game, but the IRB in their wisdom felt it necessary to give the AB's one last shot and give them all the advantage they possible could. Only issue is that England will have to host the next world cup due to the significant monetary loss on this cup - then Japan.

Richie doesn't retaliate because he is a team player, and more disciplined. Cooper is a talent, with a cocky brattish attitude that defies his lack of resolve in tackling players (Carter B1 Nonu B2) - although we all appreciate this has improved. McCaw knows that to give away a stupid penalty (ala Williams) is not the answer as a leader in a team, so he will bide his time and when he gets a chance ... Though I admire QCs unique talent, the guy is immature. Don't have a problem with niggle, but cheap shots are just that - cheap ... and I think he should be counselled to grow up and start displaying respect, maturity and leadership. Where are the leadership group now.

After watching it a dozen times there is one thing that screams 'intentional' to me: At the point he hits McCaw in the head he doesn't react to check who's head it was. If you feel your knee hit a head your immediate instincts are to look at who it was to make sure it wasn't a team mate, no matter how sure you are of who was there. He knew who he was hitting... he expected retalitation which is why he looked up to see if anyone saw (Brad Thorne all over it). Quade needs to pull his head in before he does this in a final and costs us a last minute penalty goal in the WC.

Agree, he deserved a week.

If he keeps his knee and elbow work covered that must mean none of us have seen it? If so, how do you know with such certainty that it occurs?

The Wallabies won by 5 points at home nothing convincing there COBS, the Wallabies actually let a 17 point let evaporate what is convincing about that? The loss in PE was with very much a B team. There is nothing to worry about here, I'd be careful of over celebrating because the almighty thud of coming back down to earth may just be a little to much for you to deal with come the WC which is being played in NZ if you have forgotten.

I don't see that he is doing that at all Warren. What is happening here is you and your ilk are trying to claim the Tri-Nations asa some tough and hard fought trophy when in actual fact it was a poor competition this year with South Africa and New Zealand using it merely as a training run. Congratulations to the Wallabies on Saturday for their win they played a very good game of rugby well 40 minutes at least. But reality is Warren you were one of the many posters bit-ching and moaning pre Tri-Nations how the Boks were making a farce of the Tri-Nations etc, but now you won the thing you are expecting us to believe otherwise. You won a luke warm tournament and good on you. But your not playing at home in coming weeks and they way the ABs came back into that game and nearly snatched it at the death after you come down from your euphoric high of finally winning against the ABs at home in years surely Wallaby fans must be a little concerned in the manner of ease the ABs got themselves back into the match in the second 40. Your team let a huge lead slip at home in Australia and as I said above they won't have that advantage come WC

Unfortunately P-tah you are wrong. There is no such thing as drawing the Bledisloe, The Bledisloe Cup was won in Auckland it was not up for grabs on Saturday it was merely there for show. But whatever makes you feel good

Fact - Copper will play in the first game of the WRC Fact - Read and Thompson... maybe not so much Fact - The AB's 2nd team will not be able to win the world cup Fact - AB's have lost their last two games, and in quiet convincing fashion The only reason I see why you are bleating on about Cooper, is that you are trying to avoid the aforementioned facts? It hurts a little bit I know.. but suck it up big fella as you always have netball etc.

I believe that QC's constitute an endangered species. The barrister, Whiney Barnes, what was he thinking shepherding for Genia? Well he does have a track record. Like Rumpole, he will never make QC.

Yup, could be onto something there. However, I get the feeling it's a combination of Cooper's growing confidence and the AB's losing theirs. Reminds me of Phil Kearns giving Sean Fitzpatrick.the 2 fingered salute. Why does Richie never retaliate? Should of slammed the little f";(ker by now.

hah.. nice, she probably does.

All true, let your shoulders do the talking.

Why wasn't McCaw cited for kneeing Vickerman in the ribs which forced him to go off? It was done with as much intention as Cooper's and forced a dominant Australian forward of the park. Double standards methinks from Kiwi roarers.