A COVID-stricken Damien Cook said a previous dose of the virus which left him bedridden for days has helped him quickly return to full health before the sudden-death finals showdown with South Sydney’s bitter rivals the Roosters.
Cook, who missed the final-round clash between the sides because he had only exited isolation on the day of the game, has returned to full training with the Rabbitohs after reminding himself of the perils of pushing too hard after his previous bout of the virus.
“When we had that Delta strain [last summer], a few of us got hammered with that,” Cook told the Herald. “I felt good after four or five days and then trained, but that was the problem. I was going back to pre-season, and then on day seven or eight it took me down, and I spent four days in bed.
“This time I did nothing. There were a couple of days where I didn’t feel 100 per cent and I had body aches and was just very fatigued. That was only for a couple of days, whereas the first one took me out for a lot longer. It was good to get the first run out of the way and I think that’s the hardest part. I felt much better.”
The NSW State of Origin star was unwittingly in the middle of national headlines when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tipped Rabbitohs officials the quarantine period may be reduced to five days last week.
It would have opened up the opportunity for South Sydney to name Cook to play the Roosters in round 25.
Damien Cook returns to training with the Rabbitohs.Credit:Getty
National cabinet agreed to the policy, but it didn’t implement it until last Friday making it virtually impossible for Cook to be available for the Roosters clash.
“We’ve missed Cook over the last couple of weeks because he just does so much for us,” South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker said.
“Not many people outside the organisation appreciate what he does. He plays 80 minutes and he makes 50, close to 60, tackles per game. And then his speed out of nine is very dangerous.”
Siliva Havili will return to the bench for the Rabbitohs for the second meeting in nine days between the Rabbitohs and Roosters, while Kodi Nikorima will also provide utility value for coach Jason Demetriou.
Demetriou has returned to training after being forced to watch the final round match from home after contracting COVID-19 himself.
Asked about the experience of watching the opening match at Allianz Stadium on television, Cook said: “It’s obviously good and bad. You’re frustrated because you can’t be there to help, or even talk to them when you’re not there. You can’t see them at half-time. You’re pretty useless at home.
“But then I enjoyed watching the game and seeing the work that Jai [Arrow] does and some of Taane Milne’s plays. I know some of the work those boys do off the ball, but it’s good to watch it from that angle.”
South Sydney captain Cameron Murray will step up his own return to training on Thursday as he undergoes the NRL’s concussion protocols after being concussed in the second tackle of the match against the Roosters.
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