Tuesday’s rugby news has Cooper out for the season, Wilkinson announces his retirement, Ireland and South Africa announce their test squads and Ed O’Donoghue cleared of eye gouging.
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Cooper Out for the Season
Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper is set to miss the majority of the Wallabies season. An MRI scan revealed that he required immediate surgery to his shoulder which requires a 16 week recovery. Cooper will also use the time to have hip surgery to clean out some loose cartilage. He is expected to return around mid September in time for the final test against the All Blacks in October.
Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham said “Quade is obviously disappointed to miss the rest of the season, but he knows these two operations will bring him back to full health”
Cooper is set to make his return via the new NRC tournament playing for one of the two Queensland based sides. [/one_half]
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O’Donoghue Cleared of Gouging
The SANZAR judicial hearing has cleared Reds lock Ed O’Donoghue of eye gouging in the Reds loss to the Rebels on Saturday night.
The judicial hearing chairman said “In this instance, having thoroughly reviewed video evidence from numerous angles and the considering witness testimony, I am satisfied that Mr O’Donoghue has not committed the act in question.”
James Horwill was filthy with the “stupid refereeing decision” which cost his side the match. He was also surprised by the lack of disciplinary action towards Scott Higginbotham who appeared to headbutt O’Donoghue in the confrontation. [/one_half]
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Irish and South African Squads
Ireland have announced their squad to tour Argentina. The squad feature uncapped players James Cronin, Robbie Diack, Rob Herring and Kieran Marmion.
South Africa have also announced their squad which features the return of Springbok veterans Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger. Their squad also includes uncapped players Marcel van der Merwe (Bulls), Lood de Jager (Cheetahs), Teboho Mohoje (Cheetahs), Marnitz Boshoff (Lions), Jacques du Plessis (Bulls), Damian De Allende (Stormers), S’bura Sithole (Sharks) and Cornal Hendricks (Cheetahs). The only international based player selected was Fourie du Preez (Suntory, Japan). [/one_half]
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Jonny Wilkinson To Retire
World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson is set to retire at the end of the Toulon’s European and French Top 14 finals. Wilkinson has attracted praise from the rugby community all over the world in celebration of his illustrious career. He played 91 test matches for England between 1998 and 2011 and also earned 6 caps for the British and Irish Lions between 2001 and 2005.
Wilkinson said “I have an enormous number of people to thank for their support from all around the world but especially here in France and in England”
“This however is not at all the time to be concentrating on this as I would like to focus all my attention and energy on the team and these final two games of the season.” [/one_half]
