Updated ,first published
Cooper Bai became a youth cult hero with just one NRL game to his name.
Craig Bellamy, Ivan Cleary and Trent Robinson all wanted a piece of him. The rugby league-mad nation of 11 million people still does, not to mention the entrants PNG Chiefs franchise, with all their tax incentives and the problems of family strife entered into one.
Bai, still just 19, has dinner plates in his hands and the world of rugby league at his feet – but Titans coach Josh Hannay has been instrumental in establishing him as one of the game’s most promising forwards.
Which is quite an achievement, given the way he was supported by the PNG fans – who cheered every touch of his Kumuls debut more than any other player – in Port Moresby last year.
That was before the summer Bai spent weighing “the hardest decision of my life”. The youngster eventually backtracked on proposals to move to Melbourne (after Zoom’s meetings with Cleary and Robinson, too) to stay with the Gold Coast, a call that caused a stir. His father, Storm and PNG legend Marcus Bai, was highly critical of his son’s decision, which came during the NRL’s 10-day cooling off period.
Bai’s new Titans contract has a 2028 option that will put him on the market for the Chiefs’ first year in the NRL, although Marcus’ position on the PNG board could scuttle the club’s plans to sign Cooper.
Currently, Bai is firmly in the Gold Coast as the best place for him. His green headdress, cow game and popular name will ensure a lasting cult status in PNG for years to come though.
“I really like everyone in PNG,” Bai said after his impressive performance Gold Coast’s 52-10 demolition of Parramatta on sunday.
“The support and love I’m getting from everyone here is overwhelming. I’ve never felt anything like it at all, to be honest. It (the reception) really shocked me, it happened.
“I thought it was just going to be a basic game of footy … to see that it was the next level. At times, I couldn’t even feel it, it was so loud.”
PNG will almost certainly come calling below the line.
“But I’m staying now,” Bai says.
With Gold Coast showing signs of improvement in a 2-4 start to the year that has been against their defensive stalwarts, Hannay is proving to be a key figure in Bai’s development.
“I’ve never made decisions like that before, (choosing) between two clubs like that,” Bai said. “I grew up here my whole life, and this is all I know. Being able to interact and see how things are done in other teams and other places was a great insight for me.
“It came down to me making decisions for myself and what I thought was best at the time. I thought it was best to stay here with a new coaching staff and all that. That’s the main reason. And (Hannay) has been amazing to me.
“He’s been teaching me the fundamentals of the game and continues to help me improve my technique, playing in my position, and just playing in the NRL … He’s been a game-changer for me.”
South Sydney are looking for an exemption to promote Dufty in time to face the Dragons
Christian Nicolussi
South Sydney have applied to the NRL for permission to promote Matt Dufty to their premiership squad in time to face his former club, St George Illawarra, this weekend after fullback Jye Gray suffered an AC joint injury that could keep him out for up to a month.
Dufty, 30, returned to Australia at the end of last season after a long spell in the Super League to be closer to family as his partner is expecting their child.
The speedster signed with Souths to play in the NSW Cup, but Gray’s injury has prompted the club to seek the NRL’s blessing to play him earlier this weekend against the Dragons.
If Dufty is given the green light, there will be no shortage of motivation for him to shine against the Red V, where he began his NRL career.
Under NRL rules, reserve grade players cannot be promoted to first grade until after round 11, unless there is a shortage of options in a specific position.
Latrell Mitchell is an established fullback and moved to the back when Gray came off the field in the first half of Canberra’s loss in Perth. However, Mitchell spent some time working out at fullback this summer and has found a home at left center this season.
Should Mitchell move to No.1, Souths’ options in the outfield will be limited, especially with Isaiah Tass (knee) and Tyrone Munro (suspended) unavailable.
Dufty kicked three goals against Canterbury on Good Friday and featured in Sunday night’s NSW Cup win over Parramatta. Southerners struggled to get him out of contention for the Eels as they waited to be delinked from the NRL. He also impressed the coaches during pre-season trials, including a run of over 200 meters in the Charity Shield against the Dragons.
In other team news, Jake Trbojevic (eye) trained from Manly’s senior squad on Monday, but has already been declared fit for Thursday’s trip to Townsville.
Kobe Hetherington is struggling with an ankle injury, but is working hard to play against the Cowboys, while center forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Nathan Brown are training hard.
Fellow defender Taniela Paseka said Taukeiaho was sorely missed during the opening rounds, and his inclusion could have saved the Sea Eagles from an 0-3 start.
“His return could not have come at a better time, we needed him from the first round,” Paseka said. “He’s a gun in the middle, and if he was with us from the start, we’d probably win one of the first three games we lost.
“He has been in the finals, he has won competitions, we all rely on him, especially (us) young Tongans. It is nice to have him again.”
Brisbane’s Pat Carrigan has accepted a two-match suspension for a violent performance against the Cowboys, which will see him miss Saturday’s clash with the Wests Tigers in Campbelltown.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of games sent every Monday. Subscribe to our Sports newsletter.
And Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect through X or email address.
