Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies to appeal Quade Cooper’s yellow card from win against Uruguay
WALLABIES set to appeal Quade Cooper’s yellow card in their win over Uruguay, but seemingly more on principle than concern it may lead to a suspension.
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​THE Wallabies​ ​plan ​​to appeal the yellow card given to Quade Cooper in their victory over Uruguay on Sunday but seemingly more on principle than concern the card​ ​may​ ​lead to a suspension.
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 big forwards Wycliff Palu and Will Skelton picking up injuries in the rout.
Palu (hamstring) and Skelton (shoulder) will both be assessed today but having re-injured the muscle that kept him out of the Fiji game, Palu is considered more serious than Skelton and a decision may be made about whether he can fully recuperate in time for a succession of massive Tests coming in the next few weeks.
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If not, Palu’s injury could potentially see him replaced in the squad.
There was more confidence about Skelton making a swift recovery in the Wallabies camp overnight.
Cooper was again in the thick of the action at Villa Park, after a mixed performance that saw him turn the skill for several tries, make some mistakes and also get sin-binned in the first-half for dangerous contact with the head.
Cooper appeared to grab Uruguay halfback Agustin Ormaechea round the chest and judo throw him to the ground, but referee Pascal Gauzere determined the Australian’s arm had risen up to the neck and twisted.
Under a new zero tolerance decree from World Rugby that all contact with the head and neck is forbidden, Cooper was yellow carded.
Cheika indicated post-match the Wallabies would appeal, which they’d have to do within 48 hours of the match.
“I’m pretty sure there is an appeals process around yellow cards and we will appeal that yellow card,” Cheika said.
“We felt that the hit was across the shoulder and that there was no intent to do any harm.
“I thought it was too harsh on him.
“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 towards Cooper’s tally at the World Cup.
World Cup rules say any player who gets three yellow cards at the tournament will face a judiciary hearing and possible suspension for “persistent” offending, but Cooper is a long way from the outcome.
Cooper said he was not happy to be yellow carded but avoided criticising the decision of Gauzere.
“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 touch and contribute to a couple of tries.
“I am not sure on what’s going to happen now, it’s hard for me comment on that. I will just wait and see how it unfolds and continue to prepare and get better each day.”
Wallabies captain against Uruguay, Dean Mumm, said the side had been pleased to register the biggest win of the World Cup so far against Uruguay.
“I think ultimately we’re pleased with the result. It’s a World Cup game and a Test match, so to win and get a bonus point are certainly positives. We definitely feel that there are areas we can improve on and we need to improve them as we go into this week. But at the end it’s always good to win a Test match,” Mumm said.
Mumm capped a remarkable few days where he became a father and the new Wallaby captain on the same day by scoring one of Australia’s 11 tries.
“The head is still spinning, it’s been a pretty incredible few days,” Mumm said.
“More so in getting to meet my son, but there’s been a lot been going on and it’s been good to get the result. Everyone here has been so supportive of me and that has it made it that much easier.”
The Wallabies’ ball handing was sketchy at times but halfback Nick Phipps said they’d stuck firm to their attacking discipline and balance, and not sought to play touch football.
“That was so important to us that we stuck to our shape, even though it was going to maybe open up for us out wide or there was space there,” Phipps said.
“It is so easy for them to jog you out if you are going wide to wide, so we went quite hard through the middle and carried hard and physicality at the breakdown was strong.”
Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2015: Wallabies to appeal Quade Cooper’s yellow card from win against Uruguay
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