JUST hours after being told his Wallabies dream was quashed, Quade Cooper was attacked at the Normanby Hotel.

Late Sunday afternoon, Cooper joined friends at the Red Hill establishment but was quickly targeted.

A plastic cup full of beer was thrown at Cooper, drenching him, as the patron goaded him to fight by repeatedly verbally abusing him.

An argument took place before security intervened.

The patron who threw the beer was then thrown out of the pub.

Cooper left shortly after.

A witness to the incident told The Courier-Mail that Cooper was minding his own business when the patron began stalking him.

Cooper verbally responded to the taunts before a cup full of beer was thrown at his head.

It is understood he is not interested in pressing charges.

"Quade did nothing and to be honest, I was surprised he didn't retaliate because I would have," the witness, who asked not to be named, said.

"He was hit with a full cup of beer. He was soaked in it.

"There was an argument and Quade stood up to him, but he was never going to throw the first punch."

The incident came after Cooper was officially omitted from the Wallabies squad to face the British and Irish Lions.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans named his final six squad members on Tuesday but confirmed Cooper would not be one of them.

Originally published as Quade Cooper attacked at hotel