Shane Cooper (rugby league)

Shane David Cooper[2] (born 26 May 1962) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He represented New Zealand in the 1988 World Cup Final and had a long career in England with St. Helens and Widnes.

Shane Cooper
Personal information
Full nameShane David Cooper
Born (1962-05-26) 26 May 1962
Playing information
PositionStand-off, Halfback, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
19??–86 Mt Albert Lions
1987–88 Mangere East
1987–95 St. Helens 271 76 0 6 310
1995–97 Widnes Vikings 63 16 0 1 1
Total 334 92 0 7 311
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Auckland
1985–89 New Zealand 12 0 0 1 1
1988 Rest of the World 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Playing career

Playing for the Mt Albert Lions, Cooper won the Rothville Trophy, awarded to the Auckland Rugby League player of the year, in 1985.

In 1987 Cooper joined the St. Helens in England, transferring from Auckland's Mangere East club.[3] He quickly became the captain of the side.

On 17 February 1988 Cooper scored six tries for St Helens in a match against Hull F.C.[4]

At the end of the 1994-95 Rugby Football League season Cooper moved to the Widnes Vikings, playing three more seasons for them before retiring.[5][6]

County Cup Final appearances

Shane Cooper played loose forward in St. Helens' 24-14 victory over Rochdale Hornets in the 1991 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1991–92 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Sunday 20 October 1991, and played loose forward in the 4-5 defeat by Wigan in the 1992 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1992–93 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens, on Sunday 18 October 1992.[7]

John Player Special Trophy Final appearances

Shane Cooper played stand-off in St. Helens' 15-14 victory over Leeds in the 1987–88 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1987–88 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 9 January 1988.

Representative career

Cooper made his début for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1985 and went on to play in twelve test matches, including the 1988 World Cup final loss to Australia at Eden Park. In this match Cooper started on the bench, a move later described as a mistake.[8]

Cooper was also an Auckland representative and toured England with the Auckland side in 1987.[3]

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References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. COOPER, Shane David 1985 - 89 - Kiwi #584 Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine nzleague.co.nz
  3. Shane Cooper Saints Heritage Society
  4. "St Helens 64-2 Hull". Saints Heritage Society. 1988-02-17. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  5. Cooper Widnes Rugby League Football Club
  6. Widnes vanquished by Vaikona The Independent, 19 May 1997
  7. "1992–1993 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  8. Rattue, Chris (5 November 2010). "The day league missed its original Eden Park chance". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
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