Wallabies lose Rob Simmons for Bledisloe Cup clashes against All Blacks

SANZAR, the governing body of southern hemisphere rugby, launched an appeal on Friday against Hooper’s punishment for striking Argentina’s Nicolas Sanchez in last weekend’s test in Mendoza.

But a Sanzar appeals committee maintained the week-long suspension as it dismissed both appeals.

“The committee found the judicial officer was correct in the exercise of his discretion that the offending was low-end”.

The offence carries a minimum two week suspension but Hooper’s ban was reduced to one week because of his previous unblemished disciplinary record.

Although still recovering from surgery on a bulging disc in his back, Douglas, a 14-Test veteran, refused to rule himself out of contention for the second Bledisloe Test against the All Blacks in Auckland on August 15.

The All Blacks first five Daniel Carter is hoping to retain the Bledisloe Cup one last time as they prepare to take on the Wallabies in Sydney.

“The most important thing with Test rugby is that those opportunities do come around occasionally you’ve got to be ready to go and I’m very confident I can do that”.

His injury gives former skipper James Horwill a likely chance to return to the starting team, with no other player to be called into the squad for Saturday’s game at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.

Horwill, who will join English club Harlequins after the World Cup, captained Australia at the 2011 tournament, but has only been a starter in three of his past 11 Test appearances.

Australia is looking for its Rugby Championship title, while New Zealand has won all three editions.