Aussie blow as knee-op keeps Cooper on line for six months

QUADE COOPER has been ruled out for at least six months after the Australian Rugby Union confirmed he requires a knee reconstruction.

The New Zealand-born fly-half tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the 21-18 victory over Wales in Friday’s World Cup third-place playoff.

The Reds star visited his surgeon in Brisbane on Sunday.

As a result of the consultation, the 23-year-old will undergo an MRI scan in the coming days before having surgery tore construct the ACL, while also repairing his lateral ligament.

The best-case scenario of six months would see the playmaker return in early May, meaning he will miss at least the first 10 rounds of the Reds’ Super 15title defence.

He will also miss the Wallabies’ next two fixtures against the Barbarians at Twickenham on November 26 and Wales at Millennium Stadium on December 3.