Sunday, August 28, 2011
Quade Cooper cited then cleared for knee in Richie McCaw's face

Quade Cooper dodged a bullet earlier today as he was cleared of any wrongdoing after being cited for kneeing the head of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw during the Wallabies' historic Tri Nations victory in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Cooper, who has had a recent history of niggle with McCaw for some reason, is now getting a bit of a reputation, particularly within the New Zealand camp, as a cheap shot merchant. It's not the first time he and McCaw have exchanged handbags.
SANZAR judicial officer Jannie Lubbe was quick to dismiss a charge of striking however. Cooper has admitted that he made contact, but said it was accidental as he was trying to get up.
"It's rugby and blokes are coming into contact belting each other week-in week-out, and it just so happens two blokes come into contact more often than not. I don't see any history there," he said.
Coach Robbie Deans acknowledged that Cooper needs to be mindful of how he behaves.
"There's a next generation of kids watching that game and it's important that the way we play the game is something we're proud of and something that we leave behind that they want to follow," Deans said.
Richie McCaw, who was at the bottom of a ruck up to his usual disruptive self, said that he didn't see it coming, but certainly felt it. Fellow loose forward Victor Vito has said that they're aware of Cooper's antics.
"I didn't get much of a view of it but apparently it was more than once anyway [the niggle]. Some of the guys are starting to say that sort of stuff about him," he said.
Coopers seems lucky to have gotten away with that one, as you'd have thought he could have avoided McCaw's face if he really wanted to.
What do you think of the incident, and the result of the judiciary process?
The Wallabies take the Tri Nations in thriller at Suncorp Stadium
Time: 0:52
Posted at 3:59 pm | 156 comments
Posted in Big Hits & Dirty Play
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Viewing 156 comments
Anonymous August 28, 2011 8:09 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 8:09 pm

He seems lucky to get away without any punishment, I would've probably banned him for the first WC game to send a message not to do that nonsense anymore. He'd be better off learning to tackle rather than doing this crap
RD August 28, 2011 8:10 pm

1) Highlights of Ireland vs England will be posted soon.
and B) Please keep things clean and constructive if you choose to discuss the incident. Anything else will be removed as it's not wanted or appreciated here. Thanks
Anonymous August 28, 2011 8:11 pm

123 April 09, 2012 11:26 pm

Guy August 28, 2011 8:11 pm

I mean, McCaw might be offside a lot of the time, but he never pulled this kind of crap.
Can't believe he ascaped a sanction. Is just saying it was an accident enough to convince the citing commisioner nowadays?
cigarr0 August 28, 2011 8:21 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 8:22 pm

It's really confusing to see players do that, are they forgetting that they have multiple camera's pointed at them?
SM August 28, 2011 8:22 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 8:24 pm

Fred August 28, 2011 8:28 pm

Double standards.
Cooper,what a coward.
Ian M August 28, 2011 8:29 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 8:32 pm

1. It's not tiddlywinks. Seen / heard of / done / been on the receiving end of much worse than this in the bottom of a ruck. This is not really citing commissioner material, better for it to be sorted on the field. Now and in future engagements.
2. It is amazing how the same incident can look completely different from different camera angles. In the first angle, it definitely looks premeditated. In the second angle, it looks completely normal. Given QC's history with McCaw, the first camera probably told the more accurate story.
3. I'm happy the Kiwis are feeling hard done by the Com's decision, because now you know what the rest of the world felt like after Mealamu was cleared of headbutting last fall tour (against England, if memory serves me right). That was much worse than this and NZs reaction (saying he hadnt done it because he was such a great guy and a family man, etc.) was just shameful.
I'm a neutral, by the way.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 8:35 pm

The reason Bakkies would've gotten 10 weeks is because he is one of the most notorious players for things like that. While I agree that Cooper should've gotten some punishement, you can't expect them to judge him and Botha the same, as their history with such incidents is always taken into account by the citing commission. Cooper has no history of dirty play, apart from a few minor scuffles with McCaw and one relatively harmless spear tackle on Steyn I believe.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 8:38 pm

Completely agree with the comments regarding family man Kevin Mealamu (head butter and spear tackler extrodinare).
Don't like it when you're on the receiving end do ya!
Fred August 28, 2011 8:51 pm

Only one set off rules apply for all players.
Bakkies is not as dirty player as being made of him.He is playing hard and the opposition don't like it.He made some mistakes but all players must be treated equal.
Irish Ref August 28, 2011 8:53 pm

Looking at the replay a few times, I'm on the fence. It looks like it could have been intentional but the body language from Cooper was also consistent with someone simply getting up off the ground.
Inconclusive thus no sanction. Fair call I would say.
Great game of rugby by the way, both teams should be proud of how they play the game. Makes us NH teams look so far off the pace.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:00 pm

Gabe August 28, 2011 9:01 pm

COME AT ME CITING BOARD
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:08 pm

It's a shame Quade is such a moron, because he's got a lot of talent
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:14 pm

Well they all are treated equally. However, once a player repeatedly does crap like that he will get treated more harshly. This is simply how our justice system (also outside of rugby) works. Surely a player who is well known for doing cheap shots (like dropping in shoulders every time he joins a ruck, head butting people, etc.) should be treated differently than a player who usually doesnt do this stuff. Clearly the previous times he was being let off more easily didnt make him stop it, so he should be treated more harshly.
And there is a difference between playing hard and playing unfair. The knee to the head and the cheapshots I don't count as playing "hard" but simply as playing unfair.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:14 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:20 pm

C'mon, there was nothing in that. While his hand shouldnt be there I cant see any intent in gouging. Im sure Cooper would've said something about it, if he felt the all black was trying to gouge him, and he would know best considering he was the player suposedly gouged.
Fred August 28, 2011 9:21 pm

He was wrong and should be punished accordingly.
There is a reason for a rulebook
He can just be glad he didn't do that to BAKKIES.Other wise his worldcup would have been over.
Colombes August 28, 2011 9:22 pm

but that type of cheeky action is really not my cup of tea. the knee was not so bad, but certainly deliberate!
he was maybe cleared because it was not violent, but the cowardice is not for rugby
better use your kness for runs, dear quade
moddeur August 28, 2011 9:22 pm

However am I the only one to have seen Ali Williams' leg trip on an Aussie player, which is pretty cheap too?
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:25 pm

I already said that I agree with you that he should have received some sort of punishment, all I'm trying to do is explain why players like Bakkies get treated more harshly than players like Cooper.
In this case the citing comissioners gave Cooper the benefit of the doubt that he did not do it on purpose and let him off because of that.
And the rulebook also says that previous actions are taken into account when judgin the severity of the punishment.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:28 pm

I do not know about the law rules and whether they see a difference! but I have experienced both a gouge AND a rake across my face...
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:33 pm

My understanding of a rake is that the fingers are bent (hence the name rake), however as far as I can tell, his fingers were straight, and it was more a sweep than a rake (though I could be mistaken and those too are considered the same).
Again, as I said above, his hand shouldnt have been there, but I don't see any bad intent behind it.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:38 pm

Absolutely disgraceful, weak decision by the IRB. It just shows exactly where there morals lie. On this occasion, the IRB willingly didn't live up to their own standards. What happens if a similar incident occurs again, not necessarily involving Quade Cooper? This knee is as purposeful as they come yet the IRB still let him off. If the IRB lowers the disiplinairy standard once, the lower it for a very long time.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:45 pm

You guys are forever getting away with murder...
Mealamu headbutt
Richie McCaw....say no more..
Carter and his high tackle a couple years ago...
I'm not even going to mention that incident a over 5 years ago...
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:55 pm

Cooper no doubt did it on purpose but who cares. Niggle is designed to get under the other teams skin.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:55 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:56 pm

as an Irish fan.. take all the time you need getting the highlights.......dont really need to see it
Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:58 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 9:58 pm

Hori Axe August 28, 2011 9:59 pm

Spuff August 28, 2011 10:02 pm

Fair enough that you do get players who try to wind up and niggle opponents but a knee to the head shouldn't be accepted in the game. What if McCaw broke his jaw/nose? Would that have been a case for assault?
More unbelievable is that Cooper got away without a ban. Most of us would agree that it looks intentional and could have been easily avoided.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 10:16 pm

Pipo August 28, 2011 10:17 pm

Whats up with Giteau not being in the team btw??? Really weird to me
Anonymous August 28, 2011 10:17 pm

Yeh, because I didn't see mccaw throwing a punch at cooper or at least flailing arms right before the aussie first try....
Yeh and spuff, totally agree... If a player is fouled off the ball then surely it is assault, like if a player is tipped upside down and has his shoulder dislocated, surely that is assault too?
Hesk13 August 28, 2011 10:22 pm

Watching the video, it's definitely grounds for a banning.
Saying that, it should just be one game as it looked more of a niggle than a knee
Anonymous August 28, 2011 10:31 pm

Giteau hasn't been playing great in the last couple years. I think ever since he missed that easy kick infront of the goalposts against Scotland in 2009, which sealed the deal on Australia losing the game, he's been on the out. This was sped up by the fantastic rugby Cooper and Barnes have been playing, whom I both rate higher than Giteau right now.
A further reason for the sacking of Giteau is his personality. There are often reports that he doesn't get along with the coach and also large parts of the team. He seems (or that's at least how he's portrayed in the media) a selfish player, which doesn't go well in a sport like rugby. He showed off his character again after being informed that he was not going the WC and asked to keep it quiet until it was officially announced, he however chose to tweet it about two seconds late.
S.P.N. August 28, 2011 10:33 pm

McCaw is not a saint. He's been doing this kind of stuff a decade before Cooper. Kiwis love to go on a rampage every time someone else is called out for foul play and ill-will.
Didn't seem that serious to me. Hopefully, Cooper has had enough controversy for a few good years.
NorthernHillMen August 28, 2011 10:54 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 11:01 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 11:18 pm

huh?!?! Cooper was wearing a green and gold jersey...
God Help Us August 28, 2011 11:29 pm

Learn your facts before making a comment... It will help you not look like such an internet muppet.
Anonymous August 28, 2011 11:30 pm

Anonymous August 28, 2011 11:34 pm

Cooper is a pathetic thief! First he robs a house, then he has a little tickle with richie in the Super 15, and now he plays around in this game trying to hurt richie, its the only way that he actually win against NZ.
Look forward to the World Cup, at least you only have a short flight home when we destroy you!
Anonymous August 28, 2011 11:53 pm

Even Quades Wallabie team mates hate him, seems like SBW is the only person who doesn't hate him!
SBW and QC piss off to Leauge please.
View Video
Anonymous August 29, 2011 12:18 am

And even Richie McCaw's All Black team mates hate him too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpnIenTjXUU
See... not really much of an argument you put forward is it...
View Video
Anonymous August 29, 2011 12:29 am

I'm actually really impressed with the way Cooper never backed down from Mccaw (who is obviously a much bigger and stronger player and would no doubt towell Cooper in a fight).
There was no need for this knee, but Mccaw was roughing Cooper up at every opportunity, so I don't really feel sorry for him.
And right before this knee, Cooper got smacked in the face by another All Black.
If the All Blacks are going to niggle him, you can't expect him to not do it back.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 12:31 am

Barnes and Cooper are a much better pair of fly halves these days.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 12:35 am

This is a hilarious comment.
Brad Thorn is basically as Australian as he is Kiwi. He played rugby league for the Australian national team, and lived in Brisbane for as long as he's ever lived in New Zealand.
He is well respected by Australians, and he respects Australia (obviously since he lived here for many years, and played for this countries national team in league).
In this incident Cooper's team mates were running in to protect their team mate, just as Thorn was protecting his team mate in Mccaw. You know, like you do in rugby.
Grow up.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 1:09 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 1:17 am

Unless he forgets to bring a towel...
Anonymous August 29, 2011 1:17 am

Cooper then got petualnt and shoved Mccaw in the head after Australia scored the winning try:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkDTkXuxr7Q
It got started by Mccaw, who carried it on in this game. He backhanded Cooper earlier in the game, and got this knee as a result.
They are both as bad as each other.
View Video
Anonymous August 29, 2011 1:18 am

Oh, you're a moron, my mistake.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 1:18 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 1:19 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 1:23 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 2:25 am

Ache August 29, 2011 2:30 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 2:39 am

Douglas August 29, 2011 2:44 am

I really, really wish someone wouldn't get stopped when they go after him next time.
le tired August 29, 2011 2:49 am

He also did a good job of looking like a bitch. Goes in, swats and McCaw, then keeps pulling at him as McCaw turns back and focuses on the ruck. Then, if another AB comes up to get Cooper away, he runs off like a little girl.
I'm all for players getting into other guys' heads, but Quade Cooper is building a reputation of being the kind of player who actually gets out of the way to avoid tackles, and the kind of guy who takes a swing/throws in a knee or elbow and then runs off.
Because of that, I love seeing Cooper get smashed in tackles.
But whatever, glad Australia won. Hopefully someone other than the Kiwis can also end up with this world cup (I'm just tired of every game they play being pretty much a given that NZ will win).
Anonymous August 29, 2011 3:00 am

Go watch the other highlights where Genia scores. Cooper rucks Mccaw, legally, Mccaw backhands him then jabs him in the face. This is before any knees to the head. Mccaw started the cheap shots, as usual. Mccaw always does cheap shots when NZ is losing.
Go look at the Hong Kong test. Mccaw kicked Cooper in the leg, again when he got cleared from a ruck.
Mccaw started this shit in Hong Kong, and carried it on in this test.
So fuck Mccaw, whatever he gets he deserves.
Good on Cooper for sticking up for himself when faced with the cheap shots of a much bigger player. He didn't back down in Hong Kong or Brisbane, and Australia won both games.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 3:28 am

onale
Anonymous August 29, 2011 4:17 am

maybe if he did it to Schalky then he would of got gouged back and they could both have a beer later laughing about how they got off scott free.
The nerve of the Saffas in 2009 to moan about justice a week after Burger gets a sin bin and just 8 weeks for the most blatant gouge in history (Attoub, 72 weeks in comparison)...
JG August 29, 2011 5:33 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 5:37 am

@ the guy who posted this link... its not even the same game!!!!
View Video
Anonymous August 29, 2011 5:46 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 6:05 am

The fued between Cooper and Mccaw started in THAT game, not this recent one in Brisbane.
It started last year in Hong Kong, and it all initiated from Mccaw kicking Cooper in the leg.
Cooper then petulently shoved Mccaw in the back of the head at the end of the game.
This is why they are going out it now in Brisbane. And again in this game Mccaw started the BS by elbowing then punching Cooper at a ruck right before Genia's try.
Cooper then retaliated by getting in the cheap knee.
And who's the coward really JG? Is Mccaw some kind of hero for punching and elbowing the smallest guy on Australia's team? Such a big man, why doesn't he try that shit on Elsom or Vickerman if he's so tough?
Is he any different from Cowan?
One eyed assesments by NZ fans.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 6:06 am

But it's alright for Mccaw to kick him in the leg and elbow and punch him in the face?
What a load of bullshit. Whyis Mccaw attacking a five eight anyway? Not very tough.
Spuff August 29, 2011 6:20 am

Tackling someone high or dumping someone upsidedown is one thing. These things are illigal but what Cooper did was cowardly and dangerous and has nothing to do with playing rugby.
Rugby is a mans game and most players except the niggle and to catch a shoeing at the bottom of a ruck and take it. Being kneed in the face while you on the floor... *shakes head*
Anonymous August 29, 2011 6:34 am

Michael August 29, 2011 7:34 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 7:58 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 8:22 am

While I didn't enjoy it much to see him just stand there and not doing much, he hardly jumped out of the way. I think he was simply wrong footed (as you can see that all his weight is on the inside) because like the rest of the team (kepu and guinea) he drifted to the outside because the ABs had an overlap there. He didnt expect Nonu to make the run and couldnt switch directions anymore to make the tackle
Anonymous August 29, 2011 8:25 am

so it wasn't Nonu's awesome side step and skill that scored that try but Coopers coward like rugby skills?
I hope for NZ sake that all the teams they come up against forget to bring their 'A' game otherwise NZ won't win due to a lack of skill!!!
Wessel August 29, 2011 9:07 am

Spuff August 29, 2011 9:21 am

Are you for real? *Rolls eyes*
That stuff belongs in MMA/UFC, not on a rugby field.
Anyone who acts like an ass and thinks they can dish out these sort of cheap shots should face a ban.
Regardless of who they are.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 9:37 am

Just mee August 29, 2011 10:09 am

Anonymous August 29, 2011 10:19 am

Gazz August 29, 2011 10:21 am

zacaria August 29, 2011 10:33 am

zacaria August 29, 2011 10:35 am

Max August 29, 2011 11:33 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVtU8BLay6w&feature=feedu
the 34th sec of the video
Great game the aussies !!!!
JG August 29, 2011 12:31 pm

Your right, did anyone see that cheap shot that Genia put on Horwill? Kicked the ball right into his head. I suspect that Genia wanted the captaincy and was upset that Horwill got it.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 12:32 pm

You must be kidding me mate? A ban for tackling someone?
Anonymous August 29, 2011 1:34 pm

Thats the sort of person Cooper is, a prick.
He'll get his payback and he won't forget it :-)
Max August 29, 2011 1:46 pm

Douglas August 29, 2011 2:39 pm

Anonymous August 29, 2011 4:32 pm

Anonymous August 29, 2011 5:05 pm

hannes August 29, 2011 5:30 pm

when you tackle some one in the air you straight up get a bin or a ban even if the player being tackled is fine after.
cooper should have been banned.
Carter rules
Anonymous August 29, 2011 5:34 pm

I also said it was off the ball and therefore if you want to go down this pathetic "assault" road, that would have to be included!
McCaw starts a lot of shit on the field with cooper. I don't know who truly started this, maybe something happened before the HK match, but its plain to see that cooper enjoys getting under mccaws skin, and that mccaw can't handle it!
Harry August 29, 2011 6:54 pm

Anonymous August 29, 2011 7:26 pm

JohnBoy'Cleaner' August 29, 2011 9:09 pm

Rand August 29, 2011 9:49 pm

GET OVER IT.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 10:04 pm

So what, cooper did this to mccaw... mccaw survived, cooper was cited then let off...
Is it really that big a deal? is he the only person to ever be let off with no ban for something we "think" we see clearly... how many renowned "dirty" players have been let off with minuscule bans, where we expected them to walk for a fair few months??!?
This isn't the first cheap shot on mccaw, and it won't be the last.
Foul play is also something which the All blacks have been known to dabble with...
A few years ago you were allowed to stick the boot on a player lying in the way or over the ball... nowadays you are not... does that constitute a "clean game".... because as far as i am aware the more cameras and shit that have been brought into the game has made is slower, more boring, more bitchy... and effectively a sport for pussies...
This kind of thing would have been dealt with by brad thorn in the next ruck and cooper would have decided its best not to try that again... then in turn mccaw would have been raped for being a little bitch and fighting with cooper at every opportunity..
miguel August 29, 2011 10:18 pm

@harry -lets not get on some moral high ground about rugby. While it would be nice to think that cheap shots should never happen or that when they do they will all be punished, that will never be the case. it is a contact sport played by adrenaline fueled, largely young men. Even as "professionals" its asking too much for people to never do things like this whether intentional or not.
its important and necessary to take a strict stance against things like gouging and spear tackles which are extremely dangerous regardless of intent. but for an action like this we need to have a higher burden of proof. The citing comissioner saw the video and may have thought cooper intended it, but if the evidence is not there the evidence is not there. Don't be an apologist for the prosecution (in any situation) just because someone has been charged doesn't make them guilty, and a citing does not equate guilt or conviction.
If Cooper meant to do it, good on him for getting away with it. Lets not pretend that he could have done any real harm and that such actions dont occur and go unpunished hundreds if not thousands of times throughout the season. Not a gouge, not a spear, not a stamp, not even a kick or punch. And certainly not a knee like Heaslip's.
And while we're on that subject lets be honest, there's no one in world rugby who deserves a knee at rucktime more than mccaw.
Anonymous August 29, 2011 11:24 pm

But then Cooper knees Mccaw and it's a terrible travesty of justice?
What a load of bullshit. Suck it up you NZer poofs.
Henri August 30, 2011 1:34 am

Henri August 30, 2011 1:37 am

Go @#$$%^& yourself mate! Leave Bakkies Botha out of this. You Australians are as , if not more niggling and dirty players. Cooper is a great example of this. Also, SA players do not end up in the news for constantly being involved in Bar Brawls and Alcohol Abuse like the Aussie player...
Anonymous August 30, 2011 2:06 am

Anonymous August 30, 2011 3:08 am

Anonymous August 30, 2011 3:13 am

And Mccaw elbowed and punched Cooper in this game, while Whtielock hit Horwill in the back, illeagaly (Horwill didn't have the ball and wasn't involved in the ruck). Does that make NZ 'grubs'?
Recently a South African player eye gouged a Lion, and got away with it. Bakies Botha has committed more acts of thuggery than the rest of the rugby world combined. Does that mean all Saffers are thugs?
Jesus, Cudmore is a nutcase who breaks every rule he can when he plays, does that make Canada the 'grubbiest' country?
What a load of utter bullshit. Precious kiwi fans.
Anonymous August 30, 2011 4:51 am

Anonymous August 30, 2011 5:31 am

Fucking coward. Do that to Vickerman and see where it gets ya.
Judge Dredd August 30, 2011 7:01 am

Come on, I love the class and unpredictable player Cooper is, but that was blatant. He looks and targets at 0'28 and hits at 0'29.
I can't even understand how this cheap shot is debatable, so knowing a player can get away with it sickens me.
That's pitiful for the player but, hey, while the guys are pumped up you can expect something like this to happen. Concerning the commission their lack of professionalism is outrageous and I would fire them on the spot.
Anonymous August 30, 2011 7:19 am

Anonymous August 30, 2011 8:56 am

Anonymous August 30, 2011 10:49 am

Whoever sat in judgement of this incident has bottled it!
Anonymous August 30, 2011 11:43 am

Anonymous August 30, 2011 1:46 pm

Robert August 30, 2011 4:04 pm

1) Off and early overthrown lineout which McCaw latched on to, Cooper slapped him about the head 2 or 3 times as another Aussie had the lower body tackle on;
2) Pathetic late shove on Muliaina after said had grubbered to touch;
3) This clear knee to the head of McCaw. I really don't know what drugs the citing guy was on to let this go unpunished.
ABs were clearly 2nd best in this one, but as usual, even in a 'historic loss' they remained within a single score of winning it. When Aussie have a bad day against NZ, its a bath.
As an AB supporter I'm not especially worried by this result. In 2003 the ABs put 50 points on the Wallabies during trinations, only to go down to them in the semifinal. its all on the day. and on the WC days coming up the ABs will do the business.
Anonymous August 30, 2011 5:01 pm

at least in the forwards department anyway!
Geez, for the top nation on the IRB board, and for what looks to be one of the strongest entering the RWC 2011, NZ's fans sure are the biggest bitches around...
Danny August 30, 2011 6:42 pm

the knee wasnt so bad.
D
Anonymous August 30, 2011 8:40 pm

Vickerman, are you serious? Vickerman reminds me of a dosile rat, I don't think Vickermans gonna do anything to ya.
ilexvunibola August 30, 2011 9:41 pm

Anonymous August 30, 2011 11:26 pm

Big words for a team that lost.
Anonymous August 31, 2011 12:30 am

Big words for a team that lost."
From a neutral point of view here...
I think you sort of missed the point, you were talking about putting a cheap shot on Vickerman... the other guy said Vickerman is dosile,... then you said Vickerman dominated the ruck.
Now my issue is that some players are hard as nails in the scrum, in the rucks, in the mauls, but they don't get involved in fist fights on the pitch...
So he could be the best player on the team and the most aggressive at ruck time... but it doesn't mean he would kill someone for cheap shotting him... maybe he would just give them a shove...
Anonymous August 31, 2011 2:09 am

He wouldn't back down from a fight with anyone. That's all I was saying.
The point is that Mccaw is going in and punching, elbowing and kicking a fly-half. And a particularly small fly half too.
That's not tough, it's soft. For a flanker, suppsoedly one of the biggest, toughest, meanest flankers in rugby, to go and bully a fly-half with punches, elbows and kicks is pretty soft.
If he wants to be a big man, why doesn't he try punching Elsom, Pocock or Vickerman. Any of them would be happy to trade a few with him.
But he didn't do that. He reserved all his cheap shots and niggling for the smallest guy on Australia's team.
Anonymous August 31, 2011 3:43 am

However you have to remember that McCaw is not necessarily "starting" on Cooper... it has clearly escalated...
I.e. cooper gets under his skin by driving him out of a maul, mccaw takes exception to it and pushes cooper, who pushes back, then mccaw swings around...
So I don't think McCaw has gone out of his way target cooper... I just think cooper does a hell of a job of pissing off mccaw, and mccaw can't handle it...
This however, was illegal on coopers part, doesn't take a genius to know he was being a bad boy!
Anonymous August 31, 2011 4:14 am

obviously a one eyed aussie view point. I am pretty sure you watched a different game to the one I watched, cause I certainly did not see a guiltess aussie fly half. You have also conveniently ignored posts from others here that put proper perspective on Mccaw's so called attacks on Cooper, but I do not expect a one eye aussie to take the slightest notice of common sense or reason.
miguel August 31, 2011 5:58 am

Still a very immature move, not thuggish but foolish. It's especially risky since its to the face and had cooper not done it as well he might be facing a ban or could have copped a red. That would have changed the course of the test and I can't see the aussies surviving that.
this isn't anything that needs to be removed from the game by administrators, but something the coaches and players need to remove fromt their game so as to avoid penalties.
Anonymous August 31, 2011 6:27 am

Pussy-cats come to mind, just like your boy QC.
Vickerman is tough, but he's all alone in that aussie team.
Anonymous August 31, 2011 7:39 am

The whole thing started when Mccaw kicked Cooper like a sook in Hong Kong, when he got shirty cuz he got cleared out of a ruck.
Cooper pushed him out of a ruck. You know, like you do in rugby. It's called rucking.
In Hong Kong Mccaw reacted by kicking Cooper. In Brisbane he reacted by fisrt elbowing then punching Cooper in the face.
He didn't do that to anyone else. Just Cooper.
Some tough guy.
Anonymous August 31, 2011 7:40 am

Vickerman is tough, but he's all alone in that aussie team."
Those pussy cats bashed your precious All Blacks in Brisbane. Bashed them and beat them. Deal with it.
Tim August 31, 2011 10:47 am

Maybe RD should add that as an identity option so as we know not bother or to be ready for a Phil Kearns-like comment.
Never seen McCaw dish out a cheap shot but sure seen him take plenty.
Sam August 31, 2011 12:45 pm

I don't condone this, (it makes good watching) and personally I don't think McCaw is a DIRTY player, he tends to bend some rules in the rucks occasionally, but he doesn't go out of his way to actually cheap shot someone etc... HOWEVER, this did, as many have said, start in HK when McCaw seemed to lose his head and kick out at cooper... and it has since continued...
I'm not comparing the two players as their positions are different, but both McCaw and BOD have a huge amount of games under their belts and generally they have done some rule bending, (or breaking...) but haven't resorted to violence, it was not that long ago that BOD took a swing at someone, (and missed) and I believe he said to the referee "I overreacted" or something like that, and quite clearly McCaw has had the same issue, cooper has got under his skin and he hasn't been able to maintain that coolness that he normally has.
But as other's have said, the kiwi's should not hang on this one incident with great distaste, because lets face it, you guys have had a fair bit of luck with cards and citing commissioners over the years!
Anonymous August 31, 2011 4:01 pm

Anonymous August 31, 2011 11:29 pm

Anonymous September 01, 2011 1:47 am

Anyone else and it wouldn't be such a big deal to them.
Anonymous September 01, 2011 9:49 am

Dave @ Rugby World B September 01, 2011 12:46 pm

Tim September 01, 2011 12:52 pm

Cooper just comes off as a cock, and true, if it was any body else people wouldn't care so much.
Only thing is, I seriously just can't see anybody else in the Ozzy team doing that...
Kenzo September 05, 2011 5:26 am

esheedy0 September 06, 2011 10:27 pm
Kettler September 11, 2011 6:26 pm

Guest October 16, 2011 1:52 pm
















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