Cooper to fight Muay Thai veteran

Updated January 10, 2013 20:00:38

Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper will not face a powder-puff in his pro-boxing debut on February 8.

Muay Thai title contender Barry Dunnett has been named as Cooper's opponent for his KO to Drugs charity bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Dunnett, 32, has had two previous professional boxing bouts in 2010 but it is in Muay Thai boxing, in which fighters are allowed to use their elbows and knees, where he has built up a healthy resume that includes a Queensland light-heavyweight title fight.

Cooper makes his boxing debut on the undercard of Sonny Bill Williams's heavyweight bout with South African Francois Botha.

The fight will force him to miss the Queensland Reds' second and final preseason trial, against the defending champion Chiefs, before the Super Rugby competition kicks off.

Cooper will play in the Reds' opening trial against the Blues in Toowoomba on February 2.

On the rugby field Cooper was a shadow of his creative self last year, producing a number of below-par performances after recovering from a serious knee injury and featuring in a well-publicised spats with the governing body.

His boxing venture appeared to have the backing of Queensland Reds coach Ewan McKenzie.

"If you are going to put yourself out there in front of a big TV audience and a crowd one-on-one ... you can't help think he is getting some benefit from a confidence point of view," McKenzie told reporters on Tuesday.

"He's been getting his boxing done around normal training. The quality of his rugby training has been outstanding, he seems in a very good space."

AAP/Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, boxing, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted January 10, 2013 17:48:46

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Cooper to come in from the cold

Updated December 07, 2012 09:37:06

Quade Cooper is set to announce a new deal with Australian rugby today, ending the controversial fly half's turbulent four-month wrangle with the ARU.

Cooper, who is believed to have signed a contract similar to the deal he turned down earlier this year, is expected to announce the news at midday (AEDT).

Injury against the All Blacks curtailed a disappointing 2012 season for Cooper, where he struggled to find form after returning from anterior cruciate ligament damage, but he remained in the headlines by labelling the Wallabies a "a toxic environment".

Cooper accepted a $40,000 fine for his actions but relations with the ARU soured when he was offered a low, incentive-based contract for the 2013 season.

The fly half then arranged to take part in a charity boxing contest in February, on the undercard of Sonny Bill Williams' heavyweight clash with former world title challenger Francois Botha, saying he was putting his rugby career "on hold".

The Wallabies playmaker agreed a three-year deal with the Reds in June, but as it was reliant on an accompanying deal with the ARU his future remained uncertain until coming to an agreement with Australian rugby this week.

Queensland rugby president Jim Carmichael believes the key to the deal was Cooper feeling wanted.

"It wasn't just the financial piece but getting the emotional piece right," Carmichael told the Courier Mail.

"The ARU has shown great support to bring this to a point where we have the right decision for the game, one of rugby's real talents and Quade's future.

"Where there might not have been trust and understanding a few months ago, there has been positive dialogue and everyone working towards the same thing.

"I know Quade is in a really good place with what he wants to achieve for the Wallabies, as well as Queensland."

Although the Wallabies have had a fairly successful tour of Europe, beating England and Wales - courtesy of a dramatic try from replacement number 10, Kurtley Beale - there is little doubt that the Wallabies would benefit from the presence of Cooper at his best.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, qld, australia

First posted December 07, 2012 09:12:51

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Cooper fined, receives suspended ban

Updated October 31, 2012 22:45:53

A contrite Quade Cooper has apologised for behaviour that fell below Wallabies standards after being fined at least $40,000 and handed a suspended three-match ban on Monday for two breaches of the Australian Rugby Union code of conduct.

The independent three-man conduct tribunal of chairman and barrister Dominic Villa, former Wallaby lock David Giffin and Mark Wooley heard six alleged breaches of conduct by the Reds playmaker following a marathon hearing at ARU headquarters on Wednesday that lasted more than four hours.

The talented 24-year-old five-eighth, who has made 38 Test appearances, was fined $10,000 for his comments on social media on September 22 about an ARU-licensed video game called Rugby Challenge.

Cooper was also fined $50,000 - $20,000 of which is suspended for two years - in relation to his comments on social and mainstream media.

Cooper's criticism of the Wallabies included a reference to a toxic environment and he also cast doubt on his commitment to playing for Australia again.

He was also given a three-match ban - suspended for two years - which could apply to Super Rugby or Test matches, depending on what period of the season any future breach occurred.

Cooper, who arrived at ARU headquarters almost half an hour before the scheduled 1pm (AEDT) start of the hearing, made a short address to the large media pack after the hearing, but didn't take questions.

"It's been a very long day, it was a very fair hearing and I was very happy with the outcome," Cooper said.

"Obviously, the sentence that has been handed to me, full respect for that and I understand that I fell well below par in what it means to be a Wallaby.

"For all the supporters that are out there, my apologies.

"From now on, I'm just looking forward to the future - hopefully having a big year, with not only my state, but the Wallabies.

"And I'm very much looking forward to overcoming my injury and getting back out on the field."

His remarks on Wednesday suggest he fully intends to push for Test selection in the future rather than looking at a possible switch to rugby league.

ARU deputy chief executive officer Matt Carroll said his organisation had noted the tribunal's findings and would consider their next step in contracting Cooper, whose current agreement concludes at the end of this year, though he has already re-signed with Queensland.

"ARU placed contract negotiations with Quade Cooper on hold until the tribunal process had been finalised," Carroll said.

"Given the tribunal has handed down its decision, this matter - as far as we are concerned - has been finalised.

"ARU will now look at how we address the contract situation involving Quade Cooper."

Cooper, who was represented by Angelo Benardos, has had a difficult past 12 months.

He endured a difficult World Cup and his contribution was terminated by an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury early in the bronze-medal match against Wales.

He returned to action in the middle of the Super Rugby season and he played three Tests in the Rugby Championship before succumbing to another knee injury, which ruled him out of the Wallabies spring Tour.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia, qld

First posted October 31, 2012 17:58:17

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Cooper charged over bringing game into disrepute

Updated October 27, 2012 15:58:36

Outspoken Australian fly half Quade Cooper has been charged with bringing the game into disrepute for his critical comments of the Wallabies and coach Robbie Deans.

The disgruntled star made headlines last month when he lashed out at the Wallabies set-up, saying the environment within the Australian team was "destroying" him.

The Queensland Reds playmaker, currently sidelined with a knee injury, reiterated his grievances on Fox Sports' The Rugby Club less than a week after first making his feelings known via social media.

Cooper is due to appear at a code-of-conduct hearing on Wednesday in Sydney.

An Australian Rugby Union spokesman said Saturday the ARU would not be making any official comment at this stage.

In interviews Cooper, 24, had expressed frustration about the defensive style of play favoured by Deans and said that he did not want to be involved with the Wallabies under the current regime.

"I'm just trying here to be the best that I can be and that's why I said I didn't want to be involved in that kind of environment," Cooper said in a televised interview last month.

"For me to continue to improve as a player and as a person you want to be involved in the best possible environment and I feel that environment is sort of destroying me as a person and as a player."

ARU chief John O'Neill said at the time that the ARU was "utterly confused" by Cooper's outburst.

ABC/AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 27, 2012 13:24:25

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ARU slams Cooper 'rookie deal' talk

Updated November 21, 2012 22:58:29

The Australian Rugby Union has slammed suggestions Quade Cooper was offered an inferior "rookie contract" to drive him out of the game.

National high performance unit boss David Nucifora, who was a major player in putting together Cooper's contract, said any suggestions the ARU wanted to ditch the controversial Queensland Reds star were way off the mark.

"If the aim was to get Quade to leave then that's what would have been done," Nucifora said.

"The fact that it's been put out there that it was a rookie offer was not accurate.

"He was given a substantial offer and an offer that if he chooses to accept, he will be well rewarded.

"The fact he's been given an offer means we want to keep him."

Nucifora has not heard anything from Cooper or his manager Khoder Nasser.

"We haven't had any contact with them so it's a bit hard to make a comment. We haven't been told officially where things are at from their point of view," he said.

"It's not frustrating, it's just the reality of the way people go about their business at times.

"Until we're contacted and told formally what the situation is, it's pretty hard to have a position on it."

Cooper is considering his future after the ARU reportedly offered him a downgraded, incentive-based contract. If he does not accept an ARU offer the three-year Reds deal he signed in June effectively becomes redundant.

The ARU offer came after a difficult season in which Cooper battled with injury while also being heavily fined for referring to the Wallabies as a "toxic environment".

The 24-year-old is said to be poised to quit Australian rugby to either continue playing overseas, switch to rugby league or possibly even turn to boxing.

Nasser said on Monday Cooper would hold a press conference next week.

Nucifora said there was no deadline from an ARU perspective on when the matter would be resolved.

"You can't force these things, it's up to the other side," he said.

"It's up to them to respond when they want to bring it to a head. We just have to sit back and wait."

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted November 21, 2012 21:16:24

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Cooper puts rugby on hold for boxing

Updated November 26, 2012 23:57:10

Controversial Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper has announced he has put his rugby union career "on hold" while he pursues a stint in boxing.

Cooper, who is unhappy with a downgraded, incentive-based contract offered by the Australian Rugby Union, will feature on the undercard of the Sonny Bill Williams fight at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

The fight is expected to be held on February 8.

Cooper's manager Khoder Nasser said the ARU has given the Queensland fly half no choice but to make a career change.

"I think the ARU has made its point and let that be known," Nasser said.

"The way they value Quade gives Quade no choice."

Cooper said boxing had been a release for him during his time out recovering from knee surgery and this new career direction is an opportunity he would love to take.

"Boxing has been used as a bit of a release, a bit of a way to work on my cardio," Cooper said.

"As it stands now, I'm still contracted until the end of December.

"I don't really have an option to continue with rugby at the moment, so for now I'm just focussing on getting my body right.

"I'm still training with the Reds, I'm still contracted with them. I'm just putting my full focus on getting my body right for the upcoming boxing fight."

With speculation mounting ahead of Monday's announcement that Cooper would be walking away from rugby, the Reds fly half turned up to preseason training with his Queensland team-mates.

Cooper's participation at Reds training at Ballymore looked to be a sign that he would remain playing Super Rugby with Queensland, whose 2013 season kicks off on February 16 against the Brumbies.

Recovering from knee surgery, Cooper underwent physiotherapy before taking part in a weights session at the Ballymore gym.

Despite putting his union career on standby, Cooper says his heart remains with the code and was thankful for the support from his Super Rugby side.

"Rugby's the game I love. I was brought up playing rugby union and rugby league. It's something I hold very close to my heart," he said.

"I've got great support [at the Reds], great mates, I very much value that. Every time there's been something, an issue I've had, they've come to help and work things out right away.

"My desire for rugby will never fade. I very much love it, but it's out of my hands at the moment."

Cooper has a three-year deal with Queensland Rugby, but is yet to sign a deal with the ARU.

The press conference had already been scheduled to announce the rearranged date for fighting Francois Botha in a heavyweight boxing contest.

Cooper has a long-held interest in boxing and has often been seen at bouts in the company of Anthony Mundine, who until recently was represented by Cooper and Williams' manager Khoder Nasser.

Once his ARU contract expires, Cooper could have his pick of opportunities from both rugby codes, with European unions and rugby league clubs both potentially interested.

While Cooper said he will have a lot to reacquaint himself since last playing league as a 17-year-old, Williams backed the fly half to make a splash in the NRL if he chose to do so.

"I've been one of his big supporters even before we joined up as a team," Williams said.

"I've got no doubt that he's got that ability to succeed in the 13-man game.

"I'll probably go as far as to say I'd give him half my pay packet [at the Sydney Roosters] to get him across, because I think that he'd be great not just for the game but great for our club as well."

ABC/AAP

Tags: boxing, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted November 26, 2012 13:23:11

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Cooper to trial then box

Updated December 06, 2012 07:26:38

The Queensland Reds are planning for controversial playmaker Quade Cooper to be pulling the strings in their opening hit-out of 2013 - six days before his boxing debut.

Cooper is on the undercard of Sonny Bill Williams' February 8 heavyweight bout with Francois Botha in Brisbane and is also set to train with Williams in Japan next month.

The Australian Rugby Union, in conjunction with the Reds, is expected to make a formal announcement on Cooper's playing future on Friday.

At this point, the Reds still expect Cooper to honour his unratified three-year contract and play in their first Super Rugby trial on February 2.

Queensland coaching director Ewen McKenzie wants all his fit players to turn out against the Blues at the Toowoomba Sports Ground, and Cooper's no exception.

"He's signed with us and I'm progressing on that basis," McKenzie said. "Everyone will play; how much time will vary depending on what's going on.

"So we'll see what the circumstances are like at the time."

Queensland have yet to announce their opponents and date for their second and last preseason trial, a week before its season-opener against the Brumbies in Canberra.

The Reds will also want Cooper to play the second match, if possible, as they traditionally like to run out their strongest team.

"We've got to get off to a flyer," McKenzie said. "We've got the Brumbies and then the Waratahs at home so we have to make sure we're ready to go."

With Will Genia recovering from a knee reconstruction and young gun Nick Frisby also returning from surgery, utility back Ben Lucas is likely to start the season at half-back.

In a blow to the Reds' second-row depth, rising lock Dave McDuling has undergone a second knee reconstruction a year after rupturing the ACL in his "good" knee.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, boxing, qld, australia

First posted December 06, 2012 07:26:38

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Cooper no distraction for Wallabies

Updated November 27, 2012 07:13:26

Winger Drew Mitchell says the Wallabies have more important things to worry about than Quade Cooper's move to boxing.

The Wallabies are in Cardiff preparing to face Wales in the final Test of their European tour on Saturday.

Mitchell was asked if he was surprised to learn about the news this week from Australia that Cooper was putting his rugby career on hold to be a boxer.

"To be honest no one here's really talking about it. I guess it's been going on for a little while and it's his decision," Mitchell said.

"But we've got something a little bit more important to worry about ... which is this weekend and that's where our energy will be going to."

The controversial Wallabies playmaker this week reiterated he would not sign a downgraded incentive-based ARU contract and was putting his rugby career on hold for a charity boxing debut in February.

Relations between Cooper and the Australian Rugby Union looked to have collapsed with agent Khoder Nasser revealing "a total communication breakdown" between the two parties.

The Wallabies are desperate to finish off their four-game tour in style and send retiring skipper Nathan Sharpe out a winner.

The 28-year-old Mitchell, who has battled injuries for the past two years and was facing an early end to his career, made just his first start for the Wallabies in 13 months in last Saturday's 22-19 win over Italy in Florence.

He is not sure if he will start against Wales but Mitchell is just pleased to get some regular rugby in after playing in two of the three tour matches so far.

"To get back and to be able to and train fully and be selected on this tour was great," Mitchell said.

"From being where I was only a couple of months ago when I was told that I wouldn't play again to then being involved in the Wallaby environment on tour is pretty special."

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, wales, australia

First posted November 27, 2012 07:13:26

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Deans: Door open for Cooper

Updated September 28, 2012 14:43:28

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans maintains the door is still open for Quade Cooper despite the playmaker's ongoing criticism of Australian rugby.

The Australian team continued its build-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Pretoria and did not want to let Cooper's latest round of comments become a distraction.

The injured 24-year-old said he was uncertain about his Test playing future unless his concerns were addressed.

When asked in a television appearance on Thursday night if he would have played for the Wallabies if he had not been injured and picked in the side. Cooper said he would not.

"No, like I said, it's the environment there at the moment is one that I don't feel comfortable in and if I don't feel comfortable and if I don't feel that I can give 100 per cent for my country and that yellow jersey, that's a very big problem," he told Fox Sports.

Cooper, who previously described the environment within the Wallabies as "toxic", made it clear how unhappy he was with the current set-up the national team operated under.

"For me to continue to improve as a player and as a person you want to be involved in the best possible environment and I feel that environment is sort of destroying me as a person and as a player," Cooper said.

He said he believed the Wallabies needed to be better looked after and prepared if they were to perform at their best.

Deans was asked if the door was still open and replied: "yes", adding he was open to talking through the issues with the disillusioned player.

"I haven't seen his quotes (from the television show)," Deans said at a press conference in Pretoria.

"We're concentrating on playing a Test.

"It hasn't been a distraction at all, we've had a good week of preparation."

The Queensland Reds player says he would love to honour a three-year deal he agreed to with the Super Rugby franchise earlier this year but whether the deal is ratified by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is out of his hands.

He said he'd been communicating with Deans via text messages since his comments over the weekend, reiterating his spat isn't a personal one between the pair.

But he expressed a further frustration that his talents were being wasted under Deans' current strategies.

"As the five-eighth you'd like to think you've got input into the game plans and sometimes the input goes in one ear and out the other," he said.

Cooper's outburst and his Twitter comment he'd like to play with friend and former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams have re-ignited speculation he could be headed to rugby league, with Williams expected to join the Sydney Roosters next year.

The ARU broke its silence on the issue earlier on Thursday with a brief statement which said they'd written to Cooper about his comments but didn't disclose if he was facing disciplinary action.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted September 28, 2012 08:14:36

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Cooper hints Wallabies career may be over

Updated September 27, 2012 22:44:54

Injured five-eighth Quade Cooper says he is unlikely to play for the Wallabies again unless his concerns about the state of Australian rugby are addressed.

Cooper, who spoke of a "toxic environment" within the Wallabies during an interview on Sunday, has stood by his comments before making it clear how unhappy he is with the current set-up the national team operates under.

The Queensland Reds playmaker says he would love to honour a three-year contract he agreed with the Super Rugby franchise earlier this year but whether the deal is ratified by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is out of his hands.

And Cooper will not be backing down from his belief the Wallabies need to be better looked after and prepared if they are to perform at their best.

"I'm just trying here to be the best that I can be and that's why I said I didn't want to be involved in that kind of environment," Cooper told Fox Sports.

"For me to continue to improve as a player and as a person you want to be involved in the best possible environment and I feel that environment is sort of destroying me as a person and as a player.

"The environment there is one that I don't feel comfortable in and if I don't feel comfortable in it, if I don't feel I can give 100 per cent for my country and for that yellow jersey, that's a very big problem."

Cooper says his frustration came to a head in the build-up to the Wallabies' Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on the Gold Coast earlier this month.

The Wallabies scraped home to claim a come-from-behind 23-19 win over the Pumas but Cooper says the result still felt like a defeat and left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Cooper says there is "a number of things" that need to be addressed starting with the facilities available to the Wallabies to prepare for matches.

He says he has been communicating with coach Robbie Deans via text messages since his comments over the weekend, reiterating his spat is not a personal one between himself and Deans.

But he expressed a further frustration that his talents were being wasted under Deans' current strategies.

"As the five-eighth you'd like to think you've got input into the game plans and sometimes the input goes in one ear and out the other," he said.

"That's how, myself, I definitely feel. I'm an attacking player, so if you're going to put an attacking player in and expect them to play a defensive game style then do you have input?"

Cooper's outburst and his comment on Twitter that he would like to play with close friend and former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams have re-ignited the argument that the 24-year-old could be a target for rugby league.

Williams is expected to join Sydney Roosters next year.

The ARU broke its silence on the issue earlier on Thursday with a brief statement, which said they had written to Cooper about his comments but did not disclose if he was facing disciplinary action.

Cooper said his first choice would still be to stay in rugby if he has that option.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted September 27, 2012 22:44:54

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ARU breaks silence on Cooper controversy

Updated September 27, 2012 17:20:55

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has made a brief response to Quade Cooper's outspoken comments on the Wallabies, claiming they have written to the mercurial five-eighth.

Cooper, who is sidelined with a knee injury, launched a Twitter outburst against coach Robbie Deans last weekend, expressing his frustration at the tactics used by the Wallabies in recent Test matches.

He also spoke to the media about a "toxic environment" within the national team set-up, sparking rumours he might be finishing up with rugby union and possibly contemplating a switch to rugby league.

The ARU issued a brief statement on Thursday saying they had written to Cooper but without elaborating on whether he would be facing any disciplinary action over his comments or not.

The statement also failed to respond to Cooper's claims of problems within the set-up of the game, leaving fans in the dark over whether he has a legitimate gripe or is just venting personal frustration.

"Australian Rugby Union has written to Quade Cooper in relation to social media comments," the statement read.

"However, ARU has no intention of conducting those discussions with Quade in the public arena.

"To that end, we will be making no further comment at this stage."

Meanwhile, Queensland remains confident Cooper will stay with the Reds despite his publicised frustration with the Wallabies and ARU.

Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael issued an open letter on Wednesday night, saying Cooper "has no interest in leaving the Reds".

"He loves playing for Queensland and representing is country and has reaffirmed his commitment to our organisation on several occasions, and again as late as yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon," the letter read.

Carmichael has also rejected suggestions that Cooper's actions are a part of a Reds campaign to "bring about a coaching change at a national level" and have Ewen McKenzie installed as Wallabies coach.

McKenzie is regarded as the frontrunner to take the Wallabies' head coaching role should Deans' contract be terminated.

AAP/ABC

Tags: rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted September 27, 2012 16:08:46

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Cooper and Deans on rocks says Connolly

Updated September 24, 2012 17:37:29

Quade Cooper's latest public outburst will make the playmaker's working relationship with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans close to untenable, says former Australia coach John Connolly.

The injured Cooper spoke out on Sunday about a "toxic environment" in the Wallabies camp, saying there were issues that needed to be addressed and a lot of people were afraid to speak up.

Cooper's employer, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), declined to comment on Monday about his extraordinarily frank utterances, which followed an earlier statement that he did not want to be shackled by conservative, safety-first tactics.

But Connolly said the ARU could not afford to ignore them and the five-eighth may have reached a point where it will be difficult to work with Deans, even though Cooper insisted he was "very respectful to Robbie".

"It nearly becomes untenable I think, those types of comments within a team," Connolly said.

"Players will brush it off and say it doesn't mean anything and whatever but it does.

"It's not acceptable to have players going public bagging the coach.

"Whatever the broken relationship is, and there's clearly something wrong, it becomes untenable at that point."

Connolly saw similarities with the breakdown between Deans and another Wallabies playmaker, Matt Giteau, who departed for French rugby last year after his once-leading role dwindled to the point where he was omitted from the 2011 World Cup squad and announced it on Twitter.

Connolly said such falling-outs suggested Deans's man management was not all it could be and players had shown a lack of "respect" for their coach by venting frustrations in public.

However, Australia's 2007 World Cup coach believed Australian rugby had more issues than those in the national squad and repeated his calls for a review into the game's structure and administration.

Connolly said the ARU had to respond to Cooper's comments.

"I don't think they can let it rest, there's no doubt," he said.

"They can't just act as though it didn't happen.

"There's a lot of issues that need to be addressed.

"It does affect the code ... the ARU needs to review the situation because there's little doubt that compared to the other codes we're not as good as we were."

Unavailable for the Wallabies' remaining two Tests in the inaugural Rugby Championship with a knee injury, Cooper has agreed a three-year deal with the Queensland Reds but is yet to come to terms with the ARU.

His outburst has re-ignited discussion over his future within rugby union.

The New Zealand-born star has long been linked with a switch to rugby league and Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael urged the ARU to sort things out with Cooper.

"The Reds have kept their house tidy. These are in-house issues that have to be dealt between Quade and the Wallabies, not the Reds," Carmichael said.

"There's a lot of issues there.

"They (the ARU) need to reconcile their issues with Quade and Quade has to reconcile his issues with them."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted September 24, 2012 17:37:29

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Wallabies ignore Cooper tirade

Updated September 25, 2012 08:18:28

Australia utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper says Quade Cooper's belief there is "a toxic environment" in the camp will not distract the Wallabies ahead of their Rugby Championship Test against South Africa.

The Wallabies meet the Springboks in Pretoria on Sunday morning (AEST).

Cooper, who is missing from the squad because of knee trouble, made his outspoken comments at the weekend but Ashley-Cooper says there is a convivial mood in the dressing room.

"This won't be a distraction for us," Ashley-Cooper said in Johannesburg.

"There's a great buzz in the squad and we're excited to be here.

"We've had two good wins in this competition and we feel we're building as a group."

Cooper had launched a Twitter outburst against Robbie Deans, venting his frustration at the tactics of the Wallabies coach and also at the Australian Rugby Union.

The 24-year-old fly half, who requires a knee operation and could miss the tour of Europe in November and December, then continued his tirade in the Australian press.

"There are a lot of people who are afraid to say what they feel so they just go along with it and nothing is going to change," Cooper said at the weekend.

"That's why I feel so strongly. I don't want to be involved in the toxic environment and that's how it is at the moment."

Cooper's tirade against Deans came after the coach had criticised an error-prone display by the New Zealand-born playmaker following his return from previous knee surgery.

Cooper also announced that he would like to join All Black Sonny Williams in the NRL.

While the Wallabies have won their last two Tests against the Springboks and Argentina, Deans is still under pressure at home because of his record of just two wins in 16 matches against the All Blacks.

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer is also feeling the heat with the Springboks having picked up just one victory in four Rugby Championship matches.

"The Springboks are facing similar challenges to us with a lot of injuries and having to give opportunities to younger players," Ashley-Cooper said.

"They are coming off two disappointing losses so they'll be pretty motivated and we expect it to be really tough to win in Pretoria on Saturday."

The Wallabies are to name their team on Thursday, while the Springboks will unveil their line-up 24 hours earlier.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, south-africa

First posted September 25, 2012 08:15:56

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Fainga'a defends under-fire Cooper

Updated September 18, 2012 12:54:48

Wallabies centre Anthony Fainga'a has defended Australian fly half Quade Cooper's lacklustre performances in the Rugby Championship so far.

Cooper began the competition on the sidelines, returning for the second clash with the All Blacks where the impotent Wallabies were shut out 22-0.

After a mixed performance against the Springboks ended well with a late effort seeing Australia win 26-19, the Wallabies were then forced to come back from 13 points down in the second half against Argentina at the weekend.

The great recovery, which culminated in a 23-19 victory, could not hide the focus from Cooper's error-ridden game.

Despite this lack of form, Cooper's Queensland Reds' team-mate Fainga'a is certain Cooper is Australia's best option at number 10.

"I feel that there's been a lot of pressure put on him and he toughed it out in that first half, came back in the second half, played very clinical, played our game plan, we won the game," Fainga'a said.

"We're nutting out games that we shouldn't be winning. He'll hit his rhythm soon, the more game time he plays, the better he'll become."

Tags: sport, rugby-union, qld

First posted September 18, 2012 12:53:46

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Cooper calls for Wallabies to be brave

Updated September 20, 2012 16:56:22

Quade Cooper's patience with conservative rugby has worn out and he wants the Wallabies to be brave to boost their fortunes and lagging support.

Cooper is the latest to join a long injury list but passionately called for the Wallabies to buck the trend and back their attacking instincts in upcoming Tests against South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand.

In words which will strike a chord with concerned rugby fans, the mercurial playmaker warned the code will continue to lose public interest if the Wallabies failed to deliver an exciting brand.

Despite an error-riddled last start in the 23-19 win over the Pumas at Robina last Saturday night, Cooper vowed he will not be afraid to back his attacking philosophy on his return to action.

"I know we're competing against a lot of other sports in this country," he said.

"If people want to go out there and play a boring brand of football then there's other guys they can pick to do that.

"I don't want to walk off the field wondering whether I should have tried this or tried that.

"That's where you get the confidence from as a team because when things come off you feel 10-feet tall.

"That's something I'm really passionate about."

Cooper's comments come as coach Robbie Deans, who reverted to a conservative field position game plan for last year's World Cup, is under growing pressure to see out the last 12 months of his two-year contract.

In a shot at their uninspiring play in 27-19 and 22-0 losses to the All Blacks last month, the 38-Test five-eighth predicts the Wallabies will continue to lose to the world champions if they played with caution.

He stressed the Wallabies need to take a high-risk approach to maximise their talents.

Cooper almost paid the price for that approach on Saturday when Deans was close to replacing him for a string of errors in the comeback win over the Pumas.

He gave no apologies for throwing caution to the wind at Robina as a "warm-up" for next month's third Bledisloe Test in Brisbane.

"I just put [the errors] down to the fact I'd rather go down swinging and try and make our attack work," said Cooper, who undergoes knee surgery on Friday.

"It's the only way we're going to beat the All Blacks.

"I'd much rather go down swinging and throwing the punches to put yourself in a winning position than come out saying we kept it close.

"It's okay if you come close but it's not if you never look like beating them.

"We can't be afraid. We should have respect for them but also have enough faith in our own ability."

Cooper hopes to see Kurtley Beale, dropped twice from full-back in the Rugby Championship, take his number 10 jersey against the Springboks in Pretoria.

"He'll want to try and spark things and take the game on," he said.

"That's what I saw my role as - to attack the game and try and make it a brand of rugby that people want to watch."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted September 20, 2012 16:50:42

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Cooper out of Rugby Championship

Updated September 18, 2012 19:33:50

Australian 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.

The injury compounds an already 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.

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

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted September 18, 2012 19:33:50

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Cooper may pay for Wallabies bloopers

Updated September 16, 2012 15:32:57

A sickening finger injury to rookie winger Dom Shipperley may save playmaker Quade Cooper from being the latest Wallabies star to feel the axe.

Cooper endured a horror first hour at Skilled Park on Saturday night when Argentina threatened to pull off an historic Rugby Championship upset by leading Australia 19-6.

A great escape, thanks to 17 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes, denied the Pumas and spared under-pressure coach Robbie Deans a week of immense scrutiny.

It was Cooper's most error-prone performance of his 38 Tests, save for his World Cup quarter-final shocker against South Africa last year, and had Deans seriously considering dragging him from the field.

The highly-talented five-eighth did lace his game with some typically-skilful attacking play but was guilty of a string of unforced, fundamental errors that placed huge pressure on the Wallabies.

With the versatile Berrick Barnes making a fine fist of full-back and Kurtley Beale desperate to return from the bench, there is no guarantees Cooper will wear the number 10 against the Springboks on September 30 in Pretoria.

It was Shipperley's dislocation and compound fracture which led to Deans sticking with Cooper for the final 20 minutes, where he helped spark the fightback with a deft ball for Pat McCabe to score.

The Queensland winger will be named in the 28-man squad to tour South Africa and Argentina but will race time to be fit, making Beale a likely replacement in an injury-riddled backline.

Deans admitted he was most disappointed that Cooper allowed the Pumas the first try after being charged down by Tomas Leonardi.

But he did not subscribe to the theory Cooper was trying too hard to spark the attack against the fast-rushing Pumas defence, instead pointing to confidence issues after a nine-month rehab from knee surgery.

"We shouldn't under-estimate; it does take time to come back from significant injuries like that," Deans said.

"Maybe that's in the back of his head. I don't know.

"Some of the unforced errors you wouldn't expect of a player of his background."

Asked whether there were just two starting spots for creative trio Cooper, Barnes and Beale, Deans said: "We'll have a look at the whole picture.

"Dom's hand may have a bearing. It just depends how quickly he can get comfortable."

James O'Connor's gradual return from a hamstring tear has also given Cooper extra breathing space but he is more often than not Australia's most dangerous player against South Africa.

The Wallabies' escape act did move them to second place on the standings, and another victory over the Springboks will virtually ensure they finish the inaugural tournament as runners-up to New Zealand.

Hooker Stephen Moore and lock Sitaleki Timani have been cleared to return from hamstring injuries which makes for a tough second-row selection following Kane Douglas's powerful Test debut.

"He showed he was a Test footballer last night," Deans said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia, argentina, south-africa

First posted September 16, 2012 10:38:15

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Reds still mulling Cooper appeal

Updated July 18, 2012 15:35:10

Queensland is still considering whether to appeal the one-match suspension handed down to star Reds fly half Quade Cooper.

Cooper was given the ban at a SANZAR judicial hearing on Monday after he was placed on report for a high tackle on New South Wales' Berrick Barnes in Saturday night's 32-16 win at Lang Park.

The Reds argued Cooper did not deserve suspension, as the tackle was only deemed to be worthy of a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

SANZAR allow a 48-hour window to launch an appeal following a judicial ruling.

The Reds issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying they were seriously considering an appeal but were wary of it distracting the team's preparations.

"Under the current SANZAR protocols if we were to launch an appeal we would lose at least a further day of preparation with Ewen and Quade, who would both be required to fly to Sydney for another hearing," Reds chairman Rod McCall said in a statement.

"However, we are cognisant of the need to support our player if we feel he has been treated harshly and in our opinion we still strongly believe the tackle did not warrant suspension."

Should Cooper serve the one-match suspension he will miss the Reds' qualifying final against the Sharks at Lang Park on Saturday night.

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted July 18, 2012 15:34:01

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Cooper to miss Sharks clash

Updated July 17, 2012 08:44:51

Super Rugby champions Queensland will weigh up the risk versus reward elements of an appeal after losing playmaker Quade Cooper to suspension for Saturday night's qualifying final.

The Reds suffered a major jolt to their title defence with Cooper ruled out of the sudden-death clash against the Sharks following a marathon judicial hearing on Monday evening.

The Wallabies five-eighth was found guilty of a dangerous tackle after collecting New South Wales centre Berrick Barnes high in the Reds' 32-16 final-round win over the Waratahs last weekend.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, arguing first contact was on Barnes' chest, but SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully found the blow justified a one-game ban following a four-and-a-half hearing.

"It's something I didn't want to hear," a gutted Cooper said after the hearing at Ballymore.

"I felt we had a very strong case.

"We're disappointed with the outcome but at the same time I'm sure my teammates will get through this week.

"There's contact with the head all throughout the game and whether it be initial contact, which we disagree with, it was more chest on chest.

"It wasn't anything intentional or anything malicious."

Barnes was forced from the field in a groggy state but Cooper also pointed out another high tackle in the match was only dealt with by a penalty.

The star number ten, coach Ewen McKenzie and defence lawyer Mark Martin will discuss the option of an appeal over the next 24 hours but Cooper hinted they were wary about adding more weeks to his ban.

If the Reds beat the Sharks then Cooper will be free to return for the semi-final against the Chiefs in Hamilton next week.

"Obviously with an appeal there's an opportunity for the one week to become anything from two to three weeks and you run the risk of missing the remainder of the competition," he said.

Back near his best form following his recent return from knee surgery, Cooper's loss is a significant blow to the Reds and an added frustration to the 35-Test playmaker.

"Sitting on the sidelines is not an unfamiliar place but it's one I'm very gutted about," he said.

McKenzie must now choose between utility back Ben Lucas and goalkicking inside centre Mike Harris to start at five-eighth against the Sharks.

Lucas started at number ten in the last match the Reds played without Cooper, a rousing 42-27 win over the Chiefs, who finished as New Zealand conference winners.

Cooper's blow follows similar bad news for the Sharks who were forced to leave rising Springboks star Patrick Lambie at home in Durban due to an ankle injury, while late-season recruit Frans Steyn is ineligible.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, qld

First posted July 16, 2012 19:10:29

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Cooper re-signs with Reds

Updated June 09, 2012 18:06:41

Wallabies star Quade Cooper has re-signed with the Queensland Reds for three years in a deal that will keep him in Australia until the 2015 World Cup.

Cooper announced the extended contract with the Super Rugby side on Saturday night after playing down his involvement in a late-night incident which is being investigated by the Australian Rugby Union.

The exciting 35-Test five-eighth confirmed he was out with good friend and Test team-mate Kurtley Beale celebrating his new Reds deal when there was an altercation outside a popular Brisbane hotel.

"I'm just thrilled to have my future settled for the next three years," Cooper said on Fox Sports on Saturday evening.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted June 09, 2012 18:04:02

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