Sam Cook, a former hooker for the New Zealand Warriors, has signed a deal to join a new team for the remainder of the season. Last playing in the NRL in 2018, Cook has announced he will be joining the York Knights in the RFL Championship, which is the second tier of the English Super League. He will be with them for the rest of the 2024 season.
Cook’s journey to the York Knights follows a diverse career, having played for several teams including the Mackay Cutters, New Zealand Warriors, Newcastle Knights, and French team Racing Club Albi XIII. He was part of the Warriors’ Auckland Nines squad in 2017 and made two first-grade appearances for them the following season. Afterward, he moved to the Cutters in the QLD Cup competition.
In a statement, Cook expressed his excitement about the move, noting the positive feedback he had received about the team, club, and city. “When the opportunity came up, I was keen to jump at it and give it a red hot crack,” he said. He sees this as a new and exciting experience, having already played rugby in New Zealand, Australia, and France. Moving to the UK is another step further from home and a fantastic opportunity for him.
Cook aims to bring his experience and leadership to the York Knights, hoping to provide a calm presence and support for the team. He emphasized the importance of communication as one of his strengths and aims to instill confidence in his teammates, particularly the younger players.
The York Knights have confirmed that Cook will be eligible to play against the Dewsbury Rams next weekend on Sunday, June 16th.
In other news, the One New Zealand Warriors showcased a dominant performance against North Queensland, with four of their starting forwards making the round 14 VB Hard Earned Team of the Week. This team is selected based on a complex formula that emphasizes effort areas such as tackle breaks, tackles made, decoys, support runs, and runs over eight meters.
Front rower Addin Fonua-Blake scored 101 points in the index, with converted prop Jackson Ford finishing with 88 points and hooker Wayde Egan with 52. Second rower Mitchell Barnett also earned a spot with 78 points. The only non-Warriors in the pack were Melbourne back rowers Eliesa Katoa and Trent Loiero.
This recognition is a testament to the hard work and effort put in by the Warriors, highlighting the importance of effort-based metrics over traditional stats like tries scored and line breaks. The team’s outstanding 42-12 victory over the Cowboys demonstrated their dominance and effectiveness on the field, with their forward pack leading the way.
Overall, the news of Sam Cook joining the York Knights adds an experienced and skilled player to their roster, while the recognition of the Warriors’ forwards underscores the team’s impressive performance in recent games. Cook’s arrival and the Warriors’ success reflect the ongoing developments and achievements within the rugby league.