HULL KR: Cooke will be at best this season

By [cmullan]

SALFORD coach Shaun McRae believes Paul Cooke will play his best rugby for Hull KR this season and remains one of the game's leading play-makers.

McRae is currently plotting a way of keeping Cooke's influence to a minimum when he brings his Salford side to Craven Park for the season opener on Sunday.

And the former Hull and St Helens coach knows all about Cooke's abilities from their time at the Black and Whites.

It's been six years since McRae moved on to pastures new, but his admiration for Cooke has never waned. And the Salford coach feels many have written off the 28-year-old too early.

"Paul is getting to the age where he does not have to prove very much to anybody," McRae said.

"He's been playing the sport a long time and has many games under his belt.

"Paul still has a lot to offer and sometimes it's good to have a player playing for you in the final year of their contract because you get the best out of them.

"Whatever happens this year, the club will benefit from Paul's quality on the pitch."

Cooke has been frustratingly inconsistent during his two and half years at the Robins.

He has peaked in derby clashes with his former club, with rare glimpses of his true quality too few and far between.

However, still regarded as one of the best passers of the ball in the game, and with a reading of play second to none, Cooke still has plenty of admirers.

That led to an approach during the off-season from Brian Noble and Jon Sharp's Crusaders, as well as Wakefield coach John Kear expressing his continued admiration for his former player.

Despite this, McRae believes KR may well decide to offer Cooke a new deal if he returns to his best.

"If KR decide to let Paul go, I'm sure he will be much sought after," he said. "It's a long year and Paul has time on his side.

"You won't be hearing Paul say this will be the final year of his career, that's for sure."

Some high-profile pundits and fans believe Cooke's creativity has been stifled by KR's decision to allow Michael Dobson to be the dominant half-back.

But McRae believes the pair have become one of Super League's most dangerous combinations.

"Paul's partnership with Michael Dobson is key to Rovers doing well," he said.

"Paul and Michael complement each other brilliantly and both are very experienced. Every team needs a good platform to build from and if that pair can do so, then Rovers can have a good season.

"Paul can handle different roles in a team. He can catch and pass very well. He can beat the line or pass through it.

"He can set up his team-mates with chances to score and his kicking game is excellent.

"His skills are as good as many other players in this league."