By STEVE MASCORD
ENGLAND prop Mike Cooper says he’s got no regrets about his parting shots at St George Illawarra but reckons Ben Hunt – despite his “shock” at the halfback’s five year deal – could be the solution
Cooper stunned Dragons fans when he said before returning to Warrington that the joint venture was living in the past and badly needed a “freshen up”.
“I was just being honest at the time and people don’t really like that honesty,” Warrington’s Cooper tells RLW.
“It’s nothing that I wouldn’t say to anyone’s face, you know? All I was saying is it’s been frustrating at the club needs to forget about its history and think about the now, really.
“That’s what they’re trying to do, that’s what they’ll all be trying to do at the club. I know how hard everyone has worked there. There’s been some tough things go against the players in the last couple of years, injuries and things.
“I know how hard everyone works from the kitman to the coach, I know I ruffled a few feathers with a couple of my comments but I’m just being honest.”
On Hunt, Cooper said: “Big money, a big money signing but they’ve been looking for a halfback for a long, long time. Every halfback that’s come off contract or has been in trouble, the Dragons have been linked to them.
“I was a bit shocked when they signed him for so long at his age but I’m sure he’ll be a great player for them and it will be a tough move for him.
“I think he’s Brisbane-born, isn’t he? Tough moving across the states but it’s probably what they need, really, an experienced head at halfback to get them round the field.
“So I think he’s a really good addition to the club.” (read on)
Cooper – who officially returns to Super League this weekend against Catalans – admits swapping the Aussies summer for an English winter hasn’t been plain sailing.
“There’ve been a couple of days where I’ve woken up and it’s been sub-degrees and I was thinking I should be putting zinc on and getting sunburnt,” he said.
“But, you know, the family’s happy, I’m happy and I’m very proud to play for this club and I’m looking forward to the next three years.”
Cooper was to be enjoying some sun over the past month anyway – until England’s controversial pre-season camp in Dubai was cancelled.
“It comes at a hard time of year, doesn’t it?” he commented. “It’s when the players are are the back end of their pre-season.
“I think it’s a tough one for the clubs to swallow, really. But from an international point of view we need to be together as much as possible.
“So, I’ll leave that to the big wigs to fight out. We’re going to train together a lot anyway. We’ve got another eight sessions scheduled as it is and a mid-season Test.”
