Cooper's appeal turned down

Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper has failed in his bid to have a two-match
Tri-Nations suspension overturned, with his appeal dismissed on Wednesday.
Following a five-hour hearing, the three SANZAR judicial officers stood by the
initial penalty for his dangerous tackle in last weekend's 30-13 win over South
Africa.
The Wallabies had hoped that they would at least have Cooper's ban reduced to one
match - Saturday's Bledisloe Cup game against New Zealand - which would have made
him available for the following week's return encounter in Christchurch.
The decision is a particularly disappointing blow for the New Zealand-born Cooper,
who is yet to play a Test against the All Blacks.