Cooper aiming to make most of loan stay
By Mark Stevens
4/12/19
Exeter Chiefs newcomer Kyle Cooper says he intends to make the most of his loan spell with the Gallagher Premiership club, having today arrived in Devon from Championship outfit, Newcastle Falcons.
The 30-year-old South African has answered an ‘SOS’ from Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, who has seen his options at hooker diminish in recent weeks due to injuries to Jack Innard and club captain Jack Yeandle.
Both Innard (shoulder) and Yeandle (broken arm) are expected to be sidelined until the New Year and with fellow No.2 Luke Cowan-Dickie set to be rested in the next week or two as part of England’s EPS agreement, it would have meant the Chiefs would be limited in options available to them.
Thankfully, Baxter and his Newcastle counterpart, Dean Richards, have worked a timely agreement that will see Cooper stay at Sandy Park until the end of March, that is unless he is recalled to the North East in case of an emergency at the Falcons.
Checking into his new surrounding today, the former Sharks star said he was ‘excited’ at what the next few months could hold for him, particularly being back amongst English Rugby’s elite clubs.
“I’m really excited and it’s a great opportunity for me to come down here and play some rugby,” said Cooper. “I’m grateful to both clubs for extending me this opportunity - and now I’ve got four months to show everyone what I am all about and play my part in what is a great team here.”
Having tackled the Chiefs during his time with the Falcons, even scoring a try in a Premiership Rugby Cup tie at Sandy Park two seasons ago, Cooper is well versed in the strengths of his new club.
“They’re a world class team,” he added. “And as a player, if there is any team you want to join or to go and play for, it would be the Chiefs. I’ve played against them in the past and I know how strong and ruthless they can be. Now, I want to come down, get involved and try and add some value of my own to them.”
Since joining the Falcons in 2016, the Johannesburg-born forward has made 51 appearance for the club, five of which have come this season. So far this season Newcastle have quietly gone about their business in the Championship, winning all six of their league games - and are on course for a swift return to the Premiership.
“It was disappointing to get relegated last year, but we’ve started well this year and hopefully we can get back up at the first attempt,” he continued. “For me, though, the key thing now is to do well here at he Chiefs. Being back in the Premiership, you want to be playing against the top teams and in front of the big crowds.
“Coming to the Chiefs, I think will definitely help improve me as a player. They are a side that like to keep the ball for long phases and play on the front foot - and I like to get my hands on the ball as well, so it’s plays perfectly into my style.
“Watching the Premiership this year, it seems like the table has flipped from last year. Two years ago it was a lot different, but you can see the standard is right up there and that every game is close. If you off your game or you don’t take your chances, teams will hurt you at this level.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to the next few months, getting back in the Premiership, and hopefully adding some value to the team.Being in and around this group is sure to help me, because as a player you can never stop learning. “
Cooper’s arrival was buoyed by a familiar face in the shape of former Falcon Will Witty, who himself made the switch from Kingston Park to Devon during the summer, whilst fellow South Africans Jannes Kirsten and Jacques Vermeulen were among the first to welcome the new arrival.
“I’ve already heard a bit of Afrikaans in the changing room,” he joked. “It’s good that I’ll have a few Saffas take me under their wing, plus the Big Bull himself, Will Witty. That said, everybody has made me feel very welcome and helped to make that transition back into the Premiership fairly comfortable.”