Christchurch - According to TVNZ’s website, Crusaders flyhalf Dan Carter has called for an end to the booing of Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper in Christchurch.
Last year, Quade Cooper became an instant enemy of All Black fans and the Christchurch faithful, when he kneed Richie McCaw in the face in a game between the Wallabies and the All Blacks in Brisbane.
Then, in a Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong, Quade Cooper charged into the side of a ruck and cleaned out Richie McCaw, sending him flying. The All Black skipper retaliated by kicking his studs into Cooper's knee. Later in the same match, Cooper hit McCaw late and hard on the head while he was lying on the ground.
Ever since, New Zealand fans, particularly in Christchurch at Crusaders captain Richie McCaw's home ground, have taken to booing Cooper every time he touches the ball.
Carter said enough was enough and said he felt embarrassed by the heckling from Crusaders fans.
Cooper was again under the microscope when the Reds playmaker was booed in the Reds 38-9 loss to the Crusaders on Saturday night, prompting some to suggest the issue had gone too far.
"It's time everyone moved on", said Carter emphasising that he didn't like fans booing at stadiums.
Carter's Crusaders teammate Israel Dagg had earlier appealed for Kiwi rugby fans to stop booing Cooper, after the game against the Reds in his post-match interview.
Last year, Quade Cooper became an instant enemy of All Black fans and the Christchurch faithful, when he kneed Richie McCaw in the face in a game between the Wallabies and the All Blacks in Brisbane.
Then, in a Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong, Quade Cooper charged into the side of a ruck and cleaned out Richie McCaw, sending him flying. The All Black skipper retaliated by kicking his studs into Cooper's knee. Later in the same match, Cooper hit McCaw late and hard on the head while he was lying on the ground.
Ever since, New Zealand fans, particularly in Christchurch at Crusaders captain Richie McCaw's home ground, have taken to booing Cooper every time he touches the ball.
Carter said enough was enough and said he felt embarrassed by the heckling from Crusaders fans.
Cooper was again under the microscope when the Reds playmaker was booed in the Reds 38-9 loss to the Crusaders on Saturday night, prompting some to suggest the issue had gone too far.
"It's time everyone moved on", said Carter emphasising that he didn't like fans booing at stadiums.
Carter's Crusaders teammate Israel Dagg had earlier appealed for Kiwi rugby fans to stop booing Cooper, after the game against the Reds in his post-match interview.