Wallaby first-five Quade Cooper is free to start at the Rugby World Cup after escaping suspension for kneeing Richie McCaw on Saturday.

Cooper was cited for dropping his knee into the All Black captains head in the second half of the Tri-Nations match in Brisbane.

But after a 45 minute hearing the charge was dismissed with the explanation that Cooper was just getting up to go to the next play when his knee hit McCaw.

Australia's first match in the Rugby World cup is against Italy at North Harbour Stadium next Sunday.

Story by: Dreu Vukailagi and Dhanjay Deo