22 Aug 2013

Cooper does his best to avoid riling NZ fans

6:39 am on 22 August 2013

Controversial Wallabies first five Quade Cooper's done his best to avoid riling the New Zealand rugby public once again.

The Wallabies arrived in Wellington Wednesday afternoon for this weekend's second Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks.

But Cooper didn't want to get drawn in his treatment by New Zealand fans despite All Blacks coach Steve Hansen's call for the booing to stop.

Cooper has been the subject of vitriol for the past two years, having kneed All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw in a 2011 test and labelling himself as public enemy number one during the World Cup.

But Cooper didn't want to get drawn in his treatment by New Zealand fans despite All Blacks coach Steve Hansen call for the booing to stop.

Cooper says it's up to spectators to decide how they respond to him and not for him to comment on whether their behaviour is appropriate.

Meanwhile the Wallabies have dropped to their lowest world rugby ranking in more than five years, on the back of their Bledisloe Cup test loss to the All Blacks in Sydney at the weekend.

The Wallabies have dropped a spot from world No.3 to No.4, their worst ranking since early 2008 when they were fifth.

They've been leap-frogged by England, with world champions New Zealand and South Africa filling the top two spots.