Matt Cook (rugby league) explained

First:RU
Matt Cook
Height:182abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Weight:105abbr=onNaNabbr=on[1]
Fullname:Matthew Cook
Birth Date:14 November 1986
Birth Place:Warrington, Cheshire, England
Retired:yes
Ru Club1:Saracens
Ru Year1start:20??
Ru Year1end:03
Club1:Bradford Bulls
Year1start:2004
Year1end:09
Appearances1:70
Tries1:6
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:24
Year2start:2008(loan)
Appearances2:3
Tries2:1
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:4
Year3start:2010
Year3end:11
Appearances3:28
Tries3:8
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:32
Club4:London Broncos
Year4start:2012
Year4end:14
Appearances4:64
Tries4:11
Goals4:0
Fieldgoals4:0
Points4:44
Club5:Castleford Tigers
Year5start:2015
Year5end:20
Appearances5:112
Tries5:12
Goals5:0
Fieldgoals5:0
Points5:48
Club6:Widnes Vikings
Year6start:2021
Year6end:21
Appearances6:11
Tries6:1
Goals6:0
Fieldgoals6:0
Points6:4
Teama:England
Yearastart:2006
Yearaend:06
Appearancesa:2
Triesa:0
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:0
Source:[2] [3] [4] [5]
Updated:28 May 2024

Matthew Cook (born 14 November 1986) is a former English professional rugby league footballer who played as a and for the Widnes Vikings in the Betfred Championship.[2] [3]

Cook has played at representative level for England, and at Super League level for Bradford Bulls, Hull Kingston Rovers, London Broncos, and Castleford Tigers, and at RFL Championship level for Widnes Vikings.

Background

Cook was born in Warrington, Cheshire, England.

Cook represented England at all levels up to under-19s in rugby union and up to under-18s in rugby league. He was part of the England under-18s rugby league record-breaking win over Australia where he also scored two try's. As a junior, he played for Bedford Swifts when they were both a rugby league and rugby union side.

On 25 November 2022 he took up the role of General Manager at Leeds Rhinos.

Playing career

2000s

Cook signed for Super League club the Bradford Bulls from Saracens (rugby union) during December 2003.

In 2004, Cook played for the Bradford Bulls U21's Reserve Grade team that won the Reserve grade competition by beating Leeds Rhinos U21's in the Reserve Grade Grand Final at Headingley Stadium.

In 2005, Cook made his Super League début for the Bradford Bulls against St. Helens on Monday 28 March 2005, and went on to make several further appearances off the bench in a season that saw the Bulls win the Super League X Grand Final.

In 2006, Cook started the season with a 30–10 victory over National Rugby League premiers the Wests Tigers in the 2006 World Club Challenge. He also played in the Challenge Cup round victory over Hull F.C. where he was awarded the man of the match. At the end of 2006's Super League XI he played in the play-off semi-final loss against Hull FC, and made his England début on Sunday 22 October 2006 against France national rugby league team (sub) and earned a second cap against Tonga national rugby league team (sub) leading to the team winning the Federation Shield competition.[4]

In 2007, in what was Cooks third starting game he was incorrectly penalised during the final moments of the controversial Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos Super League Magic Weekend fixture at the Millennium Stadium which resulted in Leeds Rhinos snatching victory.On 13 May 2007 Cook scored his first career Try in the Challenge Cup Round vs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

In 2008, Cook scored his first Super League Try for Bradford Bulls in their away victory over Hull F.C. on 4 April. A week later Cook began a short loan spell at Castleford Tigers and on Friday 11 April he scored another Super League try against Hull F.C. during his début.[6]

On 1 September 2009 Cook signed for the Hull Kingston Rovers on a 2-year contract, starting with the 2010 season.

2010s

In 2010, Cook made his Hull Kingston Rovers début on 7 February against Salford Red Devils. He also played in the club's first ever Super League play-off win with a 24–04 victory over local rivals Hull F.C.

In 2011, Cook found his game time limited but still managed to score an impressive 5-tries in only 10 games for the Robins.

On 1 September 2011 Cook signed for London Broncos on a 3-year contract, starting with the 2012 season.

In 2012, Cook made his London Broncos début on 12 February against Warrington Wolves.

In 2013, Cooks dreams of playing at Wembley Stadium in the Challenge Cup final came to an end when the team came crashing to an embarrassing 70–0 record semi-final defeat to Wigan Warriors.

In 2014, after the club narrowly avoided going into administration at the end of 2013, Cook was handed the tough challenge of Captaining a young and inexperienced London Broncos team that sadly resulted in their relegation to Championship (rugby league).Cook was also voted the London Broncos Supporters Player of the year and was praised for his efforts having not missed a single game all season.

On 1 September 2014 Cook signed for Castleford Tigers on a 3-year contract, starting with the 2015 season.

In 2015, Cook made his second Castleford Tigers début on 27 February against St. Helens.

In 2016, having played the majority of the season's fixtures Cook was relieved to have scored his only try of the season in the last fixture of the campaign against Widnes Vikings, happily avoiding the dreaded traditional rugby league forfeit of having to do a nude run.

In 2017, Cook made history with the Castleford Tigers when they topped the league for the first time in the club's 95-year history to lift the League Leaders' Shield.Cook also played in his and the Castleford Tigers first Super League Grand Final against the Leeds Rhinos where unfortunately, on his and the Castleford Tigers maiden Grand Final, he had to settle for a runners-up medal at Old Trafford.[7] [8] [9]

In 2018, Cook made his 250th career appearance in Castleford Tigers 30-34 Super League victory over Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on 8 June.

In 2019, Cook made his 100th Castleford Tigers appearance during the clubs Super League round-nine victory over Wigan Warriors at Wheldon Road on 5 April where he also got to bag a try in the occasion. Cook also made his 250th Super League appearance in the Castleford Tigers 44-12 Super League victory over Hull F.C. at Wheldon Road on 5 September where he again scored a try on the occasion.

2020s

On 6 August 2020 it was announced that Cook would leave Castleford to join Widnes Vikings on a 1-year deal[10]

In 2021, Cook made his RFL Championship début for the Widnes Vikings against Whitehaven R.L.F.C. on Sunday 28 March 2021.

On Tuesday 7 September Cook announced he would be retiring from professional Rugby League after the conclusion of the RFL Championship 2021 season.

On Sunday 19 September 2021 Cook made his final professional career appearance in Widnes Vikings 16–26 victory over Swinton Lions in the last fixture of the season.

Statistics

Club

Year Club Apps Pts T G DG
2005 Bradford Bulls8----
2006 Bradford Bulls12----
2007 Bradford Bulls1741--
2008 Bradford Bulls17164--
2008 Castleford Tigers341--
2009 Bradford Bulls1641--
2010 Hull Kingston Rovers18123--
2011 Hull Kingston Rovers10205--
2012 London Broncos13164--
2013 London Broncos23123--
2014 London Broncos28164--
2015 Castleford Tigers1782--
2016 Castleford Tigers2941--
2017 Castleford Tigers23123--
2018 Castleford Tigers20123--
2019 Castleford Tigers21123--
2020 Castleford Tigers2----
2021 Widnes Vikings1141--

Tries

Date Venue Opponent Result Tournament Scored
13 May 2007Belle VueWakefield Trinity Wildcats4-14Challenge Cup1
4 April 2008KC StadiumHull F.C.8-24Super League1
11 April 2008Wheldon RoadHull F.C.12-32Super League1
22 June 2008OdsalHull F.C.36-22Super League1
17 August 2008OdsalHull F.C.42-14Super League1
24 August 2008OdsalHull Kingston Rovers42-18Super League1
5 April 2009Stade Gilbert BrutusCatalans Dragons40-38Challenge Cup1
5 April 2010Twickenham StoopHarlequins12-52Super League1
11 April 2010Craven Park (Hull)Warrington Wolves36-16Super League1
22 August 2010Craven Park (Hull)Wigan Warriors18-38Super League1
9 April 2011Craven Park (Hull)Leeds Rhinos38-28Super League1
15 April 2011Craven Park (Hull)Wigan Warriors16-28Super League1
22 April 2011KC StadiumHull F.C.36-18Super League1
8 May 2011Huntington StadiumYork City Knights22-64Challenge Cup1
17 July 2011Craven Park (Hull)Salford Red Devils21-8Super League1
10 March 2012Twickenham StoopCastleford Tigers42-16Super League1
15 April 2012Twickenham StoopDewsbury Rams72-4Challenge Cup1
29 April 2012Mount Pleasant, BatleyBatley Bulldogs16-22Challenge Cup1
6 May 2012Matchroom StadiumBradford Bulls22-29Super League1
23 March 2013Twickenham StoopHull F.C.18-18Super League1
3 May 2013KC StadiumHull F.C.48-12Super League1
10 May 2013Twickenham StoopBradford Bulls25-16Challenge Cup1
15 March 2014The HiveWakefield Trinity Wildcats22-50Super League1
28 June 2014The HiveWidnes Vikings24-42Super League1
7 September 2014AJ Bell StadiumSalford Red Devils58-26Super League1
13 September 2014The HiveBradford Bulls36-46Super League1
18 June 2015Wheldon RoadSt Helens25-24Super League1
5 July 2015Wheldon RoadWidnes Vikings34-20Super League1
25 September 2016Wheldon RoadWidnes Vikings40-26Super League1
12 March 2017DCBL StadiumWidnes Vikings0-34Super League1
29 April 2017Wheldon RoadWigan Warriors54-4Super League1
26 May 2017Wheldon RoadWidnes Vikings32-22Super League1
1 June 2018Craven Park (Hull)Hull Kingston Rovers14-42Super League1
22 June 2018Wheldon RoadWigan Warriors19-18Super League1
8 July 2018Wheldon RoadLeeds Rhinos42-10Super League1
5 April 2019Wheldon RoadWigan Warriors38-28Super League1
11 April 2019Kirklees StadiumHuddersfield Giants20-18Super League1
5 September 2019Wheldon RoadHull F.C.44-12Super League1
4 April 2021Kingston Park (stadium)Newcastle Thunder30-30RFL Championship1

Representative

Date Nation Venue Opponent Result Tournament
22 October 2006Headingley Stadium26-10Federation Shield
29 October 2006Twickenham Stoop40-18Federation Shield

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Castleford Tigers 1st Team Matt Cook. . 2015. Official Castleford Tigers web site. Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club Ltd. 23 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150623144604/http://www.castigers.com/player/557. 23 June 2015.
  2. Web site: Profile at loverugbyleague.com. loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  3. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  4. Web site: England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk. englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/19941130000000/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Cook&submit=Go&c=England. 1 January 2018. 30 November 1994.
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20141016201944/http://www.londonbroncosrl.com/rugby/fixturesandresults/squad_first_xiii.php London Official
  6. Web site: Castleford switch for Bulls' Cook. BBC. 9 April 2008. 9 April 2008.
  7. Web site: Castleford 6-24 Leeds: Grand Final 2017 – as it happened. The Guardian. 7 October 2017. 6 November 2019.
  8. Web site: Grand Final 2017: Castleford 6-24 Leeds Rhinos. 7 October 2017. BBC Sport. 6 November 2019.
  9. Web site: Danny McGuire guides Leeds to Grand Final success over Castleford. 7 October 2017. The Guardian. 6 November 2019.
  10. Web site: MATT COOK JOINS WIDNES VIKINGS FOR 2021. rugby-league.com. 14 December 2020.