Rugby: Cooper hit with fine, ban for comments

Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper has been found guilty of two offences by an Australian Rugby Union disciplinary panel and hit with two fines totalling $60,000 and a three-match suspension.

After a marathon session of more than four hours at ARU headquarters in North Sydney, the three-man panel fined Cooper $10,000 for comments on social media about an ARU-licensed product on September 22.

The other fine was $50,000 - $20,000 of which is suspended for two years - for his comments on social media and in the mainstream media.

Cooper was also banned for three matches, suspended for two years.

The ban potentially covers Super Rugby and Test matches.

Cooper was summoned to appear after a number of criticisms which included calling the Wallabies set-up a toxic environment.

He addressed the large media contingent after the hearing, but didn't take any questions.

"It was a very fair hearing and I was very happy with the outcome," Cooper said.

"Obviously, the sentence that has been handed to me, I have full respect for that and I understand that I fell well below par in what it means to be a Wallaby.

"For all the supporters that are out there, my apologies.

"From now on, I'm just looking forward to the future - hopefully having a big year, with not only my state, but the Wallabies.

"And I'm very much looking forward to overcoming my injury and getting back out on the field."

- AAP