Kiwis 'not surprised' Cooper is cleared

The All Blacks have expressed surprise that Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper escaped suspension for kneeing New Zealand captain Richie McCaw in the face during last Saturday's Tri-Nations Test at Brisbane.

Cooper was cited over the incident in the 54th minute of the match won 25-20 by Australia, but was exonerated by South African judicial officer Jannie Lubbe - who found his action was accidental.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Monday the outcome of the hearing, which might have seen Cooper suspended for the opening matches of Australia's World Cup campaign, was surprising.

He said "I thought he deliberately kneed Richie McCaw in the face and I think everybody else did too. I'm very surprised at the result of the judicial hearing, let's put it that way."

McCaw might have been disappointed, but said he wasn't surprised Cooper escaped censure.

"Mate, nothing surprises me with judiciaries these days,'' McCaw said.

"When you end up in there, you don't know what's going to happen sometimes.

"He got cited, which perhaps he deserved, but they decided and that's what happened. You just have to get on with it.''
McCaw said "mate, nothing surprises me with judiciaries these days."

Cooper seems to have made it his personal mission to bait the All Blacks captain and McCaw is flummoxed about why.

"I have absolutely no idea,'' he said.

"I have absolutely nothing against the guy at all. I never get personal on the field because, if you start doing that, you will make decisions that aren't best for the team.

"There have been a couple of times when we have had a bit of push and shove but, whether he's into that, I don't know. Certainly for me, it doesn't worry me at all.''

McCaw, though, is an easy target and, worryingly, he's had his issues with concussion.

Opposition sides know his importance to the All Blacks and look to negate his influence in any way they can at times but McCaw refuses to engage in petty incidents. He has too much class to do that.

It's part of a wider All Blacks policy not to react in a way that puts the team's chances in jeopardy. But it doesn't mean they will merely stand around and watch and they have another team understanding that they look after a teammate's back.

Lock Brad Thorn was closest to the incident on Saturday night and quickly rushed in to help McCaw out and he's made it part of his brief to help out his captain.

"From my point of view, I'm just looking out for my teammate,'' he said of his shove on Cooper.

"Over the years, there's quite a few guys who have had a go at him so I guess I'm trying to watch his back a little bit.

"Richie just gets on with his game, but there's been a few things happen from Quade. It just adds to all the fun of the test match, I suppose.''

AP