Damien Cook was supposed to be on holiday with his young family, but those plans were scuppered when he saw Brad Fittler’s name flashing on his phone.
State of Origin: Maroons players were indifferent to the new NSW line up for Game two, as they look to seal the series in QLD.
He spent all day cleaning the house to keep himself busy but had just about given up and was ready to start packing when he saw Fittler’s name flash up on his phone.
It means the South Sydney star will add to his 15 State of Origin appearances after he was overlooked for game 1 in Adelaide but has been rushed straight back in to replace Api Koroisau who suffered a broken jaw while making a tackle last week.
Damien Cook was about to go on holiday before Blues coach Brad Fittler called him to say he was back in the team. Picture; Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Cook said it felt like 2018 when he got the call to make his Blues debut.
“It was a long day and I wasn’t quite sure how it was going to go,” he said.
“We were going to fly out yesterday (Monday) but we held off for one more day just hoping (that I’d be picked) because you never know (what might happen).
“It got to the point where we thought ‘maybe it’s not (happening)’ so we decided to start packing. We were going to fly out today (Tuesday) and go away on a family holiday, but as soon as we were about to start packing, I got the call.
“I get to go away for a week and the poor missus has to stay at home with the kids on her own. She was very excited for me to be here.”
Cook has had a terrific season with Souths and was always in the mix after narrowly missing out on the starting spot for the Origin opener. Picture; Matt King/Getty Images
Cook, 31, hoped that his Origin career wasn’t over when he missed out on selection the first time around and said a long chat with Fittler a few weeks ago kept the fire burning because he knew he was still part of the plans.
“We had a great chat after that first phone call and I let him know that I’ll always put my best foot forward at club level,” he said.
“I told him that if he ever needs me again (then I’ll be ready) and now it’s come around to that. He’s put the trust me in so I have to make sure I return it.”
Cook is one of five new faces as the Blues try to square the series in enemy territory, and he’s joined by North Queensland rake Reece Robson who has been named on the bench but could start at Suncorp Stadium.
It’s unclear at this stage how Fittler will use the two hookers after bench utility Nicho Hynes was thrown on late in game 1 and failed to fire, but picking two specialist players in that position has worked in the past, especially for the Maroons.
Reece Robson will make his State of Origin debut in Brisbane but it’s unclear exactly how he’ll be used. Picture; Jason McCawley/Getty Images
Fittler said Cook’s experience would be invaluable for Robson, while he also hopes the Cowboys star can add his own personal touch to the role.
“The fact that they’re playing Origin says a lot about their professionalism and the way they’ve been going about things at their clubs,” Fittler said when asked about Cook and Robson’s role in the squad.
“It also means that you’re going to have young kids coming through.
“What a perfect combination having those two together. They’re two very different players – you’ve got your up and comer player and then you’ve got your older experienced player.
“Hopefully, they learn a lot about each other this week because they can both learn from each other.”