Cooper fails in bid to overturn ban
Wednesday, 28 July 2010 09:38Australia flyhalf Quade Cooper's two-week ban for an illegal tackle will stand after a judicial panel dismissed his appeal on Wednesday.
Cooper was suspended after being cited for lifting Morne Steyn in a tackle during Australia's 30-13 win over South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday.
The appeal was dismissed after a lengthy hearing, South Africa New Zealand and Australia Rugby said in a statement.
'Quade Cooper's original suspension imposed by the judicial officer stands and he remains ineligible for selection for two weeks up to including Sunday 8 August 2010,' the statement said.
Cooper's suspension is a major blow for Australia's Tri-Nations aspirations, with the dangerous flyhalf set to miss the Wallabies' clash against the All Blacks in Melbourne on Saturday and the return match in Christchurch the following week.
Springbok Jaque Fourie was suspended for four weeks for a similar tackle in the same match but will miss just one Tri-Nations test due to scheduling.
Coach Robbie Deans switched Matt Giteau from centre to replace Cooper at flyhalf and recalled Berrick Barnes to play behind Giteau in the team named on Tuesday.
