Well it said in the other story that a swap deal had been agreed, but the only stumbling block was Cookes wages.

the only reason for a swap would be cost cutting ! brough ,another scrum half is that what is needed ? you cant play behind a beaten pack and if they dont get a couple of forwards in thats what cooke and dobson will be doing this season

I heard he was offered to the Crusaders but he wouldnt go

Really? A stunning exclusive, I can't believe nobody else has mentioned that!

The saddest thing about cooke is the wasted talant. Imagine how good he could have been if he applied himself 100%. He's a big guy, about 6'5'' I think, but isnt really built like an athlete. I've seen him with his shirt off, (all above board you understand, dont want any more rumours starting about the guy) he's just a bit flabby to be fair. If he was built like, for example, Paul Sculthorpe and had his power and fitness, with his own kicking and passing and organisation, he'd be unbelieveable. I know its all what ifs, but he has the skills for it but perhaps the side thats letting him down is his effort in training. I dont think anyone could honestly say that he couldnt get fitter and stronger, if he put some graft in.

Iv seen him throw out passes to put his winger in for a try from about 25/30m infield. When Andrew Johns did something like that it got everyone going mad about it, Cooke has the same ability, but just doesnt seem to get the chance as much at KR, maybe Dobson dominates the side too much. With a couple of good runners outside him he's deadly, but its seems at KR everything comes off Dobson. I think its obvious that Cooke needs to be the main man in his team. I dont like saying it but Cooke is a much better player than Dobson, if (its a big if though) he wants it enough. He could have played for GB/england in my opinion but only really has himslef to blame for not reaching his potential.

Hardly, he doesnt have a say in the teams make up or tactical approach as JM wont let him, if he had been given free rein and the team built around him, as at the Hull cup winning team, he would be on his way to been a Rovers great.
Unfortunately the coach decided early in the piece that this wasnt to be and decided to build his team around a reserve grade Aussie scrum half. When Cooke takes it on himself to more or less ignore this ala the derby matches, the results are there for all to see. A shame we cannot properly accomodate one of the best East Hull born players of the last twenty years. A wasted opportunity for both parties.

you don't just get given that role, its something you have to earn, and obviously JM didn't think he had,

In Justin We trust...

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Sad but true. A spot on assessment of Cooke's career to date.

Because of withdrawell symptoms of no R.L.,I dug out the d.v.d of the challenge cup final at Cardiff. It actually seemed strange seeing Cooke in a black and white shirt.I will say though seeing that try again raised my spirits.Whatever the politics of Cookes defection, I have to thank him for one of those defining moments in my sporting memory,In my own opinion I dont think we have replaced him until now.In this time of goodwill I wish him luck,whatever he does on the field.

As a p.s.,it seemed strange too seeing Cooke,Briscoe and Chester in the previous games.

i think when cooke was at hull he was outstanding and when we signed him i really thought we'd signed a true match winner. i know he has played very good in some games and yes he has won games for us but for me nothing like he did at hull. maybe one of the reasons his carear has not hit the very top is he was singled out as a future GB player and all the rest it when just a young kid and got caught up in all his own hype im sure every SL or NRL team has the same story of one of there own players i think if you sat down with paul and he was honest with you there'd be plenty he would do diferent....all this been said im still glad he plays for my team and i will always support him and the rest of the team

I would have thought leading Hull to the Challenge Cup and Grand Finals would have showcased his talents to anyone, although we all know Cooke is no saint, JMs (and others) attitude towards him has been poor since the start, more fool Justin i think for letting all that East Hull, English talent go to waste, (or is that the problem??). i am sure he will come back and bite JM on the backside..

If JM was such a "supercoach", surely he would utilise Cookes talents to the full for the benefit of the team, his exclusion of him from much of the play, and hence preventing him from been fully involved and doing the things he is good at, is not Cookes fault.

All this about saving salary cap etc and the size of his contract is hypocritical to say the least when we are willing to pay an out of form for two years, bench prop forward more (with benefits..)

The plain fact is, we will not get a better Hull or English born play maker..

Maybe he should pretend to be australian

Think Cooke has to make it a very big season cos he owes rovers for not delivering on his massive salary and also it could be his last season in a competitive side (although you could say that about every rovers player ).

Now that'd be a first.

TBF I think it's more a case of his dad believing all the hype and advising his son accordingly

Paul's got a mind of his own - always had - always will!

In the words of Alan Partridge "I think i'll have a pint of BITTER!"