Rabbitohs rake Damien Cook will never give up in his fight to play State of Origin football
SOUTH Sydney dummy half Damien Cook’s competitiveness could give him the edge in his one-on-one battle with St George-Illawarra hooker Cameron McInnes for a NSW Blues jersey.
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DAMIEN Cook lives by a strict edict — never give up.
And it just might be what gives the South Sydney dummy half a decisive edge in his one-on-one battle with St George-Illawarra hooker Cameron McInnes for a NSW State of Origin spot.
“He’s just an awesome competitor,” Souths teammate and Queensland star Dane Gagai said.
The Daily Telegraph understands McInnes is narrowly ahead but both players have a final game this weekend to push their claims.
“Hard work pays off,” Cook said. “It’s something I like about myself — I have never given up on playing in the NRL.
“Like a lot of other NRL players, I have been knocked back a few times.
“But I have stuck at it and trained hard. It’s nice to be in contention, mate, and be mentioned in that arena.
“But there is still another game to go before that and it’s a big game for us against the Warriors.
“People ask whether players are ready for Origin but you don’t know until you actually play it.
“All you can do is play your best footy in club football and hopefully you can take that form into (Origin).
“It would be different. You’d be playing with players from different clubs.
“It’s how well you can jell with that team as well. Who knows who is good at that level until you play it?”
Cook’s Souths play the Warriors this weekend, while McInnes’s Dragons confront Penrith.
The Daily Telegraph revealed earlier this week that Penrith’s Tyrone Peachey was a near certainty for a bench position.
That means Blues coach Brad Fittler will have to choose between Cook and McInnes.
And both have enormous claims.
Cook has some wonderful stats this season and offers some versatility, having started his career at fullback.
“I played fullback a bit in under-20s and NSW Cup,” Cook said. “I had a versatile role last year too with Cam McInnes.
“I’d come on at lock sometimes. I’d like to think I’m versatile in a few different positions but hooker is where I have been mostly all year.
“Playing in a good team at Souths has allowed me to play my game.
“Consistency is something I’ve wanted to be very good at this year; and playing that 80-minute role as well.
“I feel like I’ve dealt with the outside pressure really well this year.”
Gagai yesterday described Cook as “outstanding”.
“Some of the things he has done for us in the big moments, when we needed a big play, he has come up with it,” Gagai said.
“I think he is definitely ready for that level of footy.
“I always knew he was a great player, even when he was at the Bulldogs.
“Something I have found is that he’s extremely strong. And he’s pretty damn fast.
“In the role he plays, it helps us get on the front foot with his acceleration out of dummy half. He’s such a threat.”
Rabbitohs forward Tom Burgess is another Cook fan.
“The talk about him, he deserves,” Burgess said.
“He’s just got to keep playing his game and not worry too much about whether he’s going to get picked or not.
“If he does, it’s a bonus.”