By Chris Barclay
Robbie Deans had barely savoured a highlight in his troubled Wallabies coaching career before suspension and injury complicated his planning for an already ominous Bledisloe Cup rugby opener against the All Blacks on Saturday.
Quade Cooper's two-match ban for a dangerous tackle during last night's Tri-Nations victory over South Africa in Brisbane represents a massive blow to the Wallabies' prospects of ending a seven-match losing streak against their trans-Tasman nemesis here at Etihad Stadium.
The elusive five-eighth was stunned after copping further punishment for a lifting tackle on Springboks first five-eighth Morne Steyn in the 54th minute of Australia's 30-13 triumph at Suncorp Stadium.
Penalised and yellow carded for the offence after Irish referee George Clancy was alerted by New Zealand touch judge Keith Brown, Tokoroa-born Cooper hoped that would be sufficient sanction.
However, New Zealand citing commissioner Steve Hinds referred Cooper to a Sanzar hearing in Brisbane today where judicial officer Bruce Squire, QC, another New Zealander, suspended the classy first five-eighth until August 8, meaning he will also miss the second Bledisloe test in Christchurch the day earlier.
Cooper had been relishing the chance to make his first start against the All Blacks and admitted he was in a state of shock after the hearing.
"To come off a good hard win over the 'Boks last night, and to come here is very disappointing," he said.
The Wallabies are considering appealing the judgment within the next 48 hours although Cooper's penalty is in line with the two-week ban imposed by Australian judicial officer Dennis Wheelahan when Springbok Jean de Villiers was cited for a similar tackle on All Blacks wing Rene Ranger in Wellington last weekend.
"Obviously Quade's disappointed and we're disappointed but we're in the process now of contemplating where to from here," Deans said.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry sympathised with Cooper's predicament but said the suspension was appropriate.
"They're just being consistent," he said, citing the de Villiers ban.
"It's a pity for Quade, he's played exceptionally well."
Cooper and halfback Will Genia developed a formidable partnership for the Reds during this year's Super 14 and were seen as a key to ending New Zealand's current dominance.
Matt Giteau is expected to move in a slot to replace Cooper while Deans has the option of promoting experienced five-eighth Berrick Barnes from the reserve bench or debut another efficient cog in Queensland's 2010 backline formation, Anthony Faainga, at second five-eighth.
In another setback for Deans, powerful utility back Digby Ioane will miss the rest of the season after aggravating a chronic shoulder injury while tackling his older brother yesterday.
Ioane, who originally dislocated his shoulder during the one-point loss to England in June, will now undergo surgery and is facing six months on the sidelines.
He was seen as a possible alternative to centre Rob Horne and wings Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor although that trio were part of an impressive team performance last night that enabled the Wallabies to win their opening game in the Tri-Nations for only the second time since 2000.
Henry, plus assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, watched from the stands and were impressed with what they witnessed from the Wallabies.
"They used the ball well, they stretched the South Africans. They had a lot of variety and a lot of guys prepared to ball run. The structure of their attack was excellent and their defence was sound as well," he said.
But he was typically coy when asked if he had he seen any evidence to suggest the All Blacks' winning streak was under threat.
"It's hard to say," he said noting the South Africans were clearly struggling after two "very physical contests" in New Zealand.
"Saying that, the three of us (coaches) were all impressed with the Wallabies energy, their desire to play the game with width."
Meanwhile, Deans still had positives to reflect on, notably the improvement in tighthead prop Salesi Ma'afu.
"He had a pretty tough indoctrination to test rugby (against England in Perth last month) but he was fantastic," Deans said.
"He's done a lot of work in between times and he's got the benefit."
The safe return from injury of premier loosehead Benn Robinson and hooker Stephen Moore were other bonuses while openside flanker David Pocock's man of the match performance suggests All Blacks captain Richie McCaw can expect a torrid time at the breakdown.
NZPA