The news is sure to bring relief to Wallabies player, Quade Cooper. Cooper was under suspension for kneeing Richie McCraw, All Blacks captain. And with the world cup overhead, Copper sure would have wanted the nightmare to end.
Rugby: Quade Cooper cleared of charges
Cooper gave a huge blow to the skipper with his knee during the second half of the game at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening 25-20 Tri-Nations grabbing the victory. He was on charge to be suspended however the charge was let go on Sunday and the player was off the radar.
The cameras and new channels had earlier broadcasted Cooper kneeing the skipper however the no 10 jersey holder said that he was just wanting to continue the game and was eager to continue which was misunderstood. He said that it was just a matter of contact and with so many players on field, it is sometimes misunderstood by the cameras for something that did not happen. The players, he said are bound to come into contact with each other; it is inevitable.
The hearing went on for about 45 minutes and it was Jannie Luber who cleared off Cooper’s name out of the mess.
Wallabies is to begin their world cup campaign against Italy. The team is to travel to Australia in about two weeks time and begin the tour.
Cooper is obviously very relieved that he is off all charges and the suspension. With the world cup looming nearby, he surely wouldn’t have wanted to miss it.
“I’m just very grateful and happy for a fair hearing and I’m just looking forward to getting on with rugby and focusing on the World Cup.” He also said that with a jury involved and a possibility of suspension, he knew it could have gotten uglier although thankfully nothing of that sort happened. After all those sleepless nights and a headache of the verdict that was yet to come out, he said, he can finally get a good night’s sleep.
This incident had brought out great rivalry between Cooper and McCraw in the last 10 months. The tension had spurred during the game in Hong Kong and the sparks of the tension were still flying about when this particular incident took place. It wouldn’t have mattered then however it surely does now as the world cup is just round the corner.
Having a clean chit is the ticket to the World Cup for Cooper besides the relief it brings him.
Tags: All Blacks, Quade Cooper, Richie McCraw, Rugby, Wallabies
