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Brisbane - The Wallabies are expected to appeal against the two-week suspension handed to flyhalf Quade Cooper for a dangerous tackle, in the hope he can play at least one of the two Bledisloe Cup matches in the next fortnight.
The dynamic flyhalf was cited for a tackle on his Springboks opposite number, Morne Steyn, in the 54th minute of Saturday's 30-13 Test win in Brisbane.
With Cooper vital to the Wallabies' chances of ending a seven-game losing streak against their trans-Tasman rivals, the Wallabies are likely to focus their appeal on the severity of the sentence. The loophole could be provided by comments made by SANZAR judicial officer Bruce Squire, who compared Cooper's offence with that of Springboks winger Jean de Villiers in last weekend's Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks in Wellington.
"This is consistent application in terms of like penalties for like offences," Squire said.
De Villiers was suspended for two weeks but it covered one Tri-Nations match, with the other week involving a Currie Cup fixture.
In contrast, Cooper's suspension will involve two Tri-Nations matches – the Bledisloe Cup Tests in Melbourne on Saturday and Christchurch the following weekend. That has given the Wallabies cause to believe they might be successful in having the length reconsidered by a SANZAR appeals tribunal.
Springboks centre Jaque Fourie was also suspended on Sunday for four weeks – covering three matches – after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Wallabies backrower Richard Brown in the early minutes of the Brisbane Test. Again, the suspension involves one Tri-Nations match, as well as two Currie Cup games.
Before the team headed to Melbourne on Sunday, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said he was considering lodging an appeal, which must be made within 48 hours of the suspension. "Obviously, Quade's disappointed and we're disappointed but we're in the process now of contemplating where to from here," Deans said.
Standing nearby Deans was Cooper, who admitted to being shocked, especially as he was eagerly anticipating his first Test against the All Blacks. "To come off a good hard win over the Boks last night and to come here is very disappointing, but at the same time I'm just looking forward to getting back on the field as soon as possible," Cooper said.
As the SANZAR appeals tribunal is renowned for upholding the original suspensions, the Wallabies will start devising an alternative midfield combination to confront the All Blacks at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The most obvious is bringing Berrick Barnes into five-eighth but that move is not certain as the Waratahs utility appears to be out of favour with Deans, who suggested yesterday he might promote Anthony Faingaa to inside-centre and move Matt Giteau to five-eighth.
If that occurred, it would be an extremely harsh call on Barnes, who played well against England in Perth last month. Admittedly, he was at inside-centre that night but he also looked comfortable during the Super 14 when he was moved from No.12 to five-eighth.
Rob Simmons, the 21-year-old back-up second-rower, could also find himself in contention for a starting spot in Melbourne.
And while the Wallabies were euphoric about their Brisbane triumph, some in New Zealand didn't believe it was anything special. Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell wrote in his newspaper column that it would be the only Test the Wallabies will win in this year's Tri Nations.
"Nothing I saw from the Wallabies suggested to me they'd be anywhere near the All Blacks in their three Tests against them and they won't stand much of a chance when they go to South Africa for two Tests," Randell wrote. "Everything was in the Wallabies' favour going into this game ... The Springboks look like an ageing side with a redundant playing style."
The dynamic flyhalf was cited for a tackle on his Springboks opposite number, Morne Steyn, in the 54th minute of Saturday's 30-13 Test win in Brisbane.
With Cooper vital to the Wallabies' chances of ending a seven-game losing streak against their trans-Tasman rivals, the Wallabies are likely to focus their appeal on the severity of the sentence. The loophole could be provided by comments made by SANZAR judicial officer Bruce Squire, who compared Cooper's offence with that of Springboks winger Jean de Villiers in last weekend's Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks in Wellington.
"This is consistent application in terms of like penalties for like offences," Squire said.
De Villiers was suspended for two weeks but it covered one Tri-Nations match, with the other week involving a Currie Cup fixture.
In contrast, Cooper's suspension will involve two Tri-Nations matches – the Bledisloe Cup Tests in Melbourne on Saturday and Christchurch the following weekend. That has given the Wallabies cause to believe they might be successful in having the length reconsidered by a SANZAR appeals tribunal.
Springboks centre Jaque Fourie was also suspended on Sunday for four weeks – covering three matches – after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Wallabies backrower Richard Brown in the early minutes of the Brisbane Test. Again, the suspension involves one Tri-Nations match, as well as two Currie Cup games.
Before the team headed to Melbourne on Sunday, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said he was considering lodging an appeal, which must be made within 48 hours of the suspension. "Obviously, Quade's disappointed and we're disappointed but we're in the process now of contemplating where to from here," Deans said.
Standing nearby Deans was Cooper, who admitted to being shocked, especially as he was eagerly anticipating his first Test against the All Blacks. "To come off a good hard win over the Boks last night and to come here is very disappointing, but at the same time I'm just looking forward to getting back on the field as soon as possible," Cooper said.
As the SANZAR appeals tribunal is renowned for upholding the original suspensions, the Wallabies will start devising an alternative midfield combination to confront the All Blacks at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The most obvious is bringing Berrick Barnes into five-eighth but that move is not certain as the Waratahs utility appears to be out of favour with Deans, who suggested yesterday he might promote Anthony Faingaa to inside-centre and move Matt Giteau to five-eighth.
If that occurred, it would be an extremely harsh call on Barnes, who played well against England in Perth last month. Admittedly, he was at inside-centre that night but he also looked comfortable during the Super 14 when he was moved from No.12 to five-eighth.
Rob Simmons, the 21-year-old back-up second-rower, could also find himself in contention for a starting spot in Melbourne.
And while the Wallabies were euphoric about their Brisbane triumph, some in New Zealand didn't believe it was anything special. Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell wrote in his newspaper column that it would be the only Test the Wallabies will win in this year's Tri Nations.
"Nothing I saw from the Wallabies suggested to me they'd be anywhere near the All Blacks in their three Tests against them and they won't stand much of a chance when they go to South Africa for two Tests," Randell wrote. "Everything was in the Wallabies' favour going into this game ... The Springboks look like an ageing side with a redundant playing style."
