Wallabies to tackle Cooper yellow card
THE Wallabies intend to appeal the yellow card given to Quade Cooper in their victory over Uruguay on Sunday, but seemingly more on principle than concern over a ban.
Coach Michael Cheika flagged the appeal as the Wallabies counted the cost of their 65-3 win over the South American side in Birmingham, with forwards Wycliff Palu and Will Skelton picking up injuries.
Palu (hamstring) and Skelton (shoulder) will both be assessed today but having reinjured the muscle that kept him out of the Fiji game, Palu is considered more serious than Skelton and a decision may be made about if he can fully recuperate in time for a succession of massive Tests in the next few weeks.
If not, Palu’s injury could see him replaced in the squad.
There was more confidence about Skelton making a swift recovery.
Cooper was in the thick of the action at Villa Park, turning on the skill for several tries, making some mistakes and getting sin-binned in the first half for dangerous head contact.
Cooper appeared to grab Uruguay halfback Agustin Ormaechea around the chest and judo throw him to the ground, but referee Pascal Gauzere determined the Aussie’s arm rose up to the neck and twisted.
Under a new zero tolerance decree that all contact with the head and neck is forbidden, Cooper was yellow carded.
“I’m pretty sure there is an appeals process around yellow cards and we will appeal that yellow card,” Cheika said.
“We felt the hit was across the shoulder and that there was no intent to do any harm. “I thought it was too harsh. “I understand where the ref was coming from too, they’re doing the best for the safety of the game.
“I understand that and in the heat of the moment it’s fine. When we look at it on video, we’ll probably appeal.
“It may not be overturned (and) we’d only do it if it was the right thing to do.”
It was the second yellow card in three Tests for Cooper after he was binned in Auckland in August, but that doesn’t count at the World Cup.
Rules say any player who gets three yellow cards at the tournament will face a judiciary hearing and possible ban for “persistent” offending, but Cooper is a long way from that outcome.
“Yeah, look it was disappointing to be sin-binned as it was such an awesome atmosphere out there,” Cooper said.
“But it was good to get back out there and get into the game, and be there until the end and be able to get a few touches and contribute to a couple of tries.
“I am not sure on what’s going to happen now, it’s hard for me to comment on that. I will just wait and see how it unfolds and continue to prepare and get better each day.”