Banish Cooper from NSW, say Country
By Barry Toohey From: The Daily Telegraph May 05, 2010 12:15AM
OUTRAGED officials have called on NSW selectors to ban Matt Cooper from State of Origin after he again withdrew from the annual City-Country clash - only to be named for St George Illawarra.
Cooper has been ruled out of the fixture five times due to injury, but on three occasions he has played for the Dragons the night after the City-Country match. Country officials last night labelled Cooper a disgrace and banned him from future Country teams.
They also called for him to be ignored by the NSW selectors after learning he will line up for the Dragons this weekend despite withdrawing from the Country Origin side through injury. "While ever I'm in charge, he will never play for Country again," Country chairman Jock Colley said. "As far as I'm concerned, his attitude stinks and if he is in line for NSW selection in a few weeks time, he should be barred from that as well."
It is understood the Country selectors drew a line through Cooper before the team announcement after coach Laurie Daley took a call from Dragons coach Wayne Bennett on Sunday, informing him Cooper had picked up a calf injury against the Sharks and would not pass a medical the next day. He and injured Dragons teammate Beau Scott had been Country's first-choice centres to meet City Origin on Friday night in Port Macquarie. Instead of playing in the NSW Blues' selection trial, Cooper be watching the game on television as he prepares for the Dragons clash with Manly just 24 hours later.
It is hardly surprising Country's patience with Cooper has run out. He has a history of thumbing his nose at the annual representative game and, according to officials, too often to be a coincidence. Since 2005 he has been ruled out of the clash with City five times due to injury. Three times - in 2005, 2007 and 2009 - he played with the Dragons the next night and scored try doubles in two of those club games. On learning of his club selection, Colley exploded. "A bloke shouldn't be surprised given his history but it really is a disgrace," he said. "You look at the reaction of guys like young [Jamal] Idris and [Josh] Dugan and even veterans Brett Kimmorley and big Willie, when they came into camp, and you just shake your head at Cooper's.
"He's got plenty of form for it hasn't he."
The Dragons centre did not answer calls from The Daily Telegraph last night.
Manly coach Des Hasler did not want to comment.
From:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/banish-cooper-from-nsw/story-e6frep5x-1225862324426
