Former Test coach John Connolly has called for the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to ban disgruntled playmaker Quade Cooper for 12 months for his "unforgivable" criticism of the Wallabies.
On a day when his coaching successor Robbie Deans said he had started rebuilding bridges with Cooper, Connolly tipped the ARU to punish the star five-eighth in the next week over claims of a toxic environment in the Wallabies.
Cooper's future in the code is on thin ice following a series of attacks on the code and the Wallabies' boring style of play, and his reluctance to wear the gold jersey until things changed.
Connolly, who took Australia to the 2007 World Cup and previously coached Queensland through their successful 1990s era, said the attacks simply could not be tolerated.
"It's unforgivable what Cooper did," Connolly said.
"You can't imagine one of the All Blacks criticising (coach Steve) Hansen and the game.
"It's just ridiculous what's happened and I hope (the ARU) do make a strong statement. He's said he doesn't want to play for his country - well then that's fine.
"I don't think you treat the Wallabies coach or the country or the jersey or speak about the game the way he did without some severe ramifications - maybe a 12-month suspension from the game."
High-level talks between the ARU and Queensland Rugby Union over Cooper's issues are expected to be held this weekend and the matter is certain to be discussed at next week's ARU board meeting.
While sidelined by a knee injury, Cooper is determined to play on for the Queensland Reds - who boast an 87 per cent success rate in the past three seasons with him at number 10 - but he first needs to sign an ARU contract.
Deans on Friday said he had spoken to the 24-year-old this week and would talk to him again in the days following Saturday night's Bledisloe clash at Lang Park.
Asked if he was confident there would be a resolution, Deans nodded.
Cooper's absence from the national team - on top of injuries to fellow playmakers James O'Connor and Berrick Barnes and half-back Will Genia - prompted reports Australia were considering calling Matt Giteau and Luke Burgess into their European tour squad.
The former Wallabies halves partners both play in France which precludes them from selection under the long-held ARU policy of only picking Australian-based players.
Deans did not dismiss the surprise option but admitted it would be "a big precedent" that would not be taken lightly by the ARU board.
"But more importantly, we've got a couple of good blokes here," said the coach, who praised back-up halves Nick Phipps and Brett Sheehan and has been impressed by the rise of new fly half Kurtley Beale and Mike Harris.
Deans also played down concerns over Genia's statement that he was on the open market after ARU negotiations had dragged on six months since he re-signed with Queensland.
"That's part of the negotiation process these days," he said. "It's pretty routine."
AAP
Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia First posted October 19, 2012 13:49:42