Connolly wants Cooper banned for 12 months

[Happy]

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'd 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 couldn't be tolerated.

"It's unforgivable what Cooper did," Connolly told Radio Sport New Zealand. "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 No.10 - but he first needs to sign an ARU contract.

Deans on Friday said he'd spoken to the 24-year-old this week and would talk to him again in the days following Saturday night's Bledisloe clash at Suncorp Stadium.

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 halfback 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 wouldn't 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 No.10 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."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/i...-for-12-months

[sittingbison]

...Australia were considering calling Matt Giteau and Luke Burgess into their European tour squad....

FFS the spring tours are to develop players. Get whoever is in line, even if its ZHolmes because CLL and Toomua are still out so be it. If its Kyle Godwin as last man standing then so be it. Foley from Tahs? ANYBODY but Gits. Has Robbie Deans lost so much pride that he could even consider begging Gits to come out of international retirement? FFS the guy should refuse to take Cooper back.

Doesn't matter whether you like him or despise him, hate ManU or love them, always ask yourself what Fergie would do in a situation like this. Because he has taken ManU to the top and kept them there for more than 20 years. He would do a Becks and kick a boot in Coopers face then ship him out to suitors in NRL (if there are any by now lol). He would do a Keane and move on the champion with advanced decrepitude the moment he opens his gob once too often (Gits). He would do an RvN and move on the once great but immobile striker that no longer fits the up tempo playing style...ok Burgess doesn't fit any of the RvN qualifications lol. Hmmmm...maybe Burgess is more like Kleberson or Djemba Djemba. High hopes but useless.

Anyway, he would not allow a player to dictate to him AT ALL. The moment they do, its arrivederci baby.

[SNOB]

Connolly has the right idea IMO.
The ARU has let these Gen Y's run the ARU. JO'C with his "brand" not show for press conference and drinking with his bosom buddies. Beal and Cooper fights, theft etc all with no real disaplinary action.
They know they can do and say what they want with impunity.
Its no different to a child throwing a tantrum and getting what it wants if it works it does it again.
The sooner Cooper is made an example of the better for Australian Rugby.

[Happy]

if they banned him for 12 months he would leave forever and union would never see him again. If that is the goal then that's fine, if thinking a 12 month hiatus will do the trick expecting him to come back a changed person - they're very much mistaken!

[Stone Cold]

It's very easy to be an ex-coach, you can say what you want with impunity.

I do think it would be a good idea to discipline him in some way. A 12 month ban doesn't go far enough...I want a 13 month ban.

[Happy]

a bakers ban ???

[SNOB]

If we lose him forever "shame" but they have to make an example or others will play the same infantile game.

[Invictus]

If it is 12 months for bagging the wallabies then Knuckles will be gone for approx 400 years....

[AndyS]

if they banned him for 12 months he would leave forever and union would never see him again. If that is the goal then that's fine, if thinking a 12 month hiatus will do the trick expecting him to come back a changed person - they're very much mistaken!

I don't understand what the issue is. It is not a case of banning him - he resigned on camera! He specifically said that, if selected, he would not accept. If I was in the ARU, I would have immediately sent him a note asking him to confirm that it was his intent to resign - if not, then he would need to clarify his statement as publically as he made it; if so, then it was regretted that he felt it had come to that and wish him well in the future, noting that he would need to be saying his goodbyes at the Reds as he couldn't play Super rugby if not eligible for the Wallabies.

[Happy]

Agreed Andy!!!

[sittingbison]

I...It is not a case of banning him - he resigned on camera! He specifically said that, if selected, he would not accept....

The ARU should put out a press release after every team selection saying that unfortunately Player Cooper did not accept his selection.

[The Boab]

If we bow to this guy we might as well pack it in. Their are players out there who would give their right you know what to represent the Wallabies. Why is this Gen Y, metrosexual, wannabe grabbing centre stage ? Is he a Giteau clone ?