Already reeling from skipper James Slipper’s season-ending injury, Queensland have also flown Quade Cooper home as they brace for the Super Rugby playmaker’s SANZAAR judiciary hearing.
Cooper faces a dangerous-tackle charge after being sent off for his 49th-minute hit on Rohan Janse van Rensburg as the centre crashed over for one of many Lions tries in Johannesburg.
He will front the judiciary at 1700 (AEDT) on Tuesday.
Cooper has had disciplinary issues in the past – he missed the 2012 semi-final against the Sharks due to a ban.
And the fact Cooper has been flown home to Brisbane and not on to Argentina for Sunday’s clash with the Jaguares indicates Queensland are expecting another suspension.
“In the second half, the red card to Quade made it extremely difficult only having 14 men out there against a team that can move the ball exceptionally well and play with a lot of pace,” said Queensland coach Nick Stiles, after the Reds arrived in Buenos Aires.
Jake McIntyre is already a confirmed starter at No.10 for Cooper against the Jaguares with Henry Taefu as cover.
Former Brisbane NRL flyer Lachlan Maranta has been called into the Reds’ squad.
“Quade started for us and played every minute at 10 for us until the red card,” Stiles said.
“But (McIntyre) played basically the full season at 10 for us last year.
“That experience, plus the hard work he has done the last four to six months to improve his game, it creates a good chance for him to step up at 10.”
Cooper flew home with Slipper, who ruptured an achilles tendon in the Lions’ romp at Ellis Park.
Stiles tried to find a silver lining to Slipper’s devastating injury.
“It is disappointing for James. He put a lot of work into this year and looked forward to being at the forefront of a much-better season for the Reds,” Stiles said.
“But we are extremely lucky to have the current Wallabies’ skipper Stephen Moore.
“To have someone of his experience to step up and take over the captaincy is a luxury we have.
“He will continue his work towards driving cultural change in this group.
“He will get a chance to lay a firm footprint on this side; create some really good habits which will set us up for future success.”
Queensland at one point were down to 13 men against the Lions when Cooper was sent off after Slipper’s first-half injury and winger Eto Nabuli’s 45th-minute yellow card.
The Lions piled on another four tries in Cooper’s absence to seal the bonus-point victory.
“We were extremely disappointed with how we played last weekend,” Stiles said.
“But we came on this tour of Africa and Argentina to pick up a win and the boys are very committed to chasing that this weekend.”
DOUBLES
Guest
Was it more dangerous than Luatuas swinging arm at a blokes head without the ball in backplay ??
Paul
Guest
The ferocious lions series will see lots of cards ..And i guarantee you 5 suspensions at least . If their isn't the refs have been instructed to put away the whistles for this series, but i doubt it ..I `ll say every test their will be yellow cards and red cards with suspensions to come.. I have a feeling the AB`S will be punished mercilessly...Let`s see how much sympathy they get when one of their players gets a 2 or 3 weeks like Quade did for just cuddling an opponent.. I`ll be here to rip in. . GOOOO THE BIL `S
Rhys Bosley
Guest
I'm disappointed too, the Brumbies game is the last one he will miss but the one I have most been looking forward too. I would like to think young McIntrye will do a good job, but I just can't see it happening. I'm pretty pissed at him actually.
Jamez
Guest
Ive been wondering, these new rules, are they just for Super Rugby, or will International matches follow these rules too?
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
I get what they are trying to. However to bring in such a large step change in the sanctions is potentially quite disruptive. Imagine if the Lions-ABs series was decided by a red card for something like Cooper's tackle. Perhaps there should be a transition period of 1-2 years where those tackles go on report, similar to the league system. A player could be sanctioned afterwards without ruining the contest.
Kiwi in Europe
Guest
My reaction was I didn't think there was any malice but it was poor technique and is quite dangerous. I think a Red Card and suspension is consistent with the message that the IRB has put out this season.
Bakkies
Guest
His record and remorse were taken it account. The limit is set by the IRB http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/quade-cooper-suspended-for-three-weeks-20170321
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Yes, the refereeing....a huge problem facing the game. I feel teams/coaches should have the right to challenge poor refereeing post match, and that downgrading of referees should be brought in. These guys are after all paid professionals, and not volunteers, as was the case per professional days.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Really disappointing and stupid action by Quade.........sadly, this is the type of thing he has a history of doing. I noticed in the scuffles in Bne against the Crusaders he was very quick to rush in and get involved. I think back also to his silliness with Richie McCaw during the World Cup in 2011. That did not help his team then, and now as a very important Qld player he has badly hurt his team again I just wish he would show more control.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Yeah but the starting point of SANZAR was 6 weeks. 6 seems a little harsh
dontcallmeshirley
Guest
We do not want to use the state of Origin as a yardstick for foul play. I am sure they will face a crackdown soon given the high profile of concussion injuries across many codes
dontcallmeshirley
Guest
I agree that the red should suffice. A red card for half a match is actually quite a significant penalty for both the individual and the team.
Bakkies
Guest
Fish paste got 3 weeks
Tez
Guest
Agree .... just dumb .... he was never going to stop the try ..... 4 weeks I reckon using the Luatua suspension as a guide
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Agree that he has a case to answer, but the irony. Cooper copped a knee to the head earlier in the game from careless play, that wasn't even looked at. I can't help but wonder which act caused the most head trauma. After all this is all about minimising the risk of head trauma is it not? In any event he has done the crime and must do the time. The lopsided officiating is hurting Super rugby nearly as much as the lopsided talent and score lines.
William Tell
Guest
we've all watched enough state-of-origin to know what a deliberate, well aimed, swinging arm looks like. Cooper's was nowhere near that category. Not that I don't welcome the increased sensitivity about tackling/working on the head. Already, the standard is being relaxed - lots of round the neck stuff that is now going free, based it seems on what affects play as compared with what affects players not directly involved with the ball. But Cooper was careless, perhaps. Certainly worth sitting him down for ten minutes. But he's done that before. So he will pay a penalty on review.
piru
Roar Rookie
It was never at chest level, nor was it at shoulder level - I can't decide if you guys are deliberately misstating the facts or haven't watched the replay. It was aimed at the head from the get go, he brushed the top of the shoulder on the way through, but that was incidental, it didn't slide up.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I am a reds supporter, but that was a bit of a lolly given other worse ones have been given yellows... The red should suffice really, but now we have a crazy "CRACKDOWN", that still isn't quite standard yet...
DOUBLES
Guest
Are they saying Quades tackle is worse then Steve Luatuas ? He got 6 weeks for an intentional off the ball late coathanger on nanai Williams? Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton said Luatuas actions were worth six weeks on the sideline. But, "taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's early admission of guilt and his remorse for his actions, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension by two weeks". As a result, Luatua will miss games against the Highlanders, Crusaders, Bulls and Western Force. So that means Cooper can show admission of guilt and remorse and get it downgraded too?
taylorman
Guest
Yes...and they knew that before the match too.