Cooper Cronk has shaken the tectonic plates of rugby league after making the decision to retire from representative football following Australia’s Rugby League World Cup triumph.
Cronk informed Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga at the start of the week before telling his teammates on Friday night and announcing it following their 6-0 win over England in the final.
“There’s probably two reasons for it. One, I’ve had one hell of a run. I never thought any of this was even possibly in my wildest dreams,” Cronk said after Saturday’s match.
“A kid growing up 20 minutes from here on south side of Brisbane. I never knew, thought or hoped that I’d play this amount of rep football.
“I think it’s time for someone else to grab a couple of those memories and those moments because I’ve had my fair share. I’ve had a great run.”
Cronk said the second reason was personal.
“Rep football takes a lot of your time, a lot of dedication, a lot of time away. I’ve had some big decisions made in my personal life, professional life in the last 12 months.
“I think this is a really good time to know that it’s an end-point.
“That game tonight was Test match football at its best. It’s fitting to finish the 2017 World Cup here at Suncorp with that game as my last game.”
(Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Cronk, who in April was granted a release from Melbourne the final year of his contract for personal reasons, forgoed retirement to take up a two-year offer from the Sydney Roosters.
However, it was unclear whether he was going to commit to another representative season that included another State of Origin series for Queensland.
The 33-year-old told Maroons coach Kevin Walters, who also had veteran Johnathan Thurston retire from rep footy this year, of the news on Friday afternoon.
Incumbent Queensland and Kangaroos five-eighth Michael Morgan will now need a new halves partner from a list including Ben Hunt, Anthony Milford and Cameron Munster.
Australia squad member James Maloney could also be an option at international level.
“You can look at is as a bit of a slack in the rope,” Cronk said.
“But I guarantee, when you’ve got Kevin Walters in charge, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, the guys have been at the forefront of Queensland Rugby League for a long time, if there is any at all it’ll be picked up quite easily.
“The young guys that’ll come in deserve their chance. They deserve the moments I’ve had, the opportunity to build those memory banks that I’ve had in all the jerseys.”
The Barry
Roar Guru
They’ve had 10 years. Anyone that’s missed them has only got themselves to blame.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Ok. Maybe 9.5%....
Mushi
Guest
ROC I struggle to believe anything you wrote was 95% fact... But seriously it's my defacto job to be dragged into arguments with idiots and then be beaten by experience. Not yours. Bloody south of the border types taking my job.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
There is a sad pattern here. You made a comment on my cricket piece, and then said you won't be read anything I write again, because you didn't agree with what I wrote, even though 95% of it was fact. Based on the comment here, you like to throw immature and pathetic tantrums if you don't agree with the main article; then run away before facing the logic of Roarers. Got it. Understood.
John
Guest
I wonder if Kevvie will pull a out a SoO SOS call to Cronk like Bennett did with Alfie all those years ago.
Peter Phelps
Guest
I was with you until you said about adding another premiership. I think Cronk has earned his last gong.
Peter Phelps
Guest
DCE has had his chance and been found wanting.
Mushi
Guest
I'd loose respect for Mr Cronk if he gave half a damn about your opinion of his career, or likewise mine. We love to tell these guys how they should look after their legacy, or whatever other hamfisted term we use, knowing full well we will never have to make the same choices or be held to our claims. The respect of a man who shys away from critique, such as van mac, isn't worth anything anyway.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Of course you'll be reading replies... So the guy has an exceptional career , and you're writing him off due to how he chooses to finish it ? Strange ! Anyway , when he adds another premiership to his collection, all will be justified, and his legacy ( which so many here refer to ) will remain intact.
VanMac
Roar Rookie
I lost respect i had for Cooper when he signed with the Roosters (i would have praised him for any other Sydney side) Now everything he says has lost its impact on me. Sad really, after his career so far. & save your breath...i wont be reading replies.
Chris
Roar Pro
Not as good currently, but I give them every chance of being the next great rugby league spine. Munster/Milford/Morgan/hooker here, plus Napa, Holmes, Gagai, Cherry Evans, Papalii... origin is not dead yet
Tom
Guest
Don't nobody curse nsw saying this is their year before origin is played. Thurston will 100% be back for the decider...and smith is still there. Three more years then we will win another one. Qld are still too good
Tom
Guest
Don't nobody curse Bae saying this is their year before origin is played. Thurston will 100% be back for the decider...and smith is still there. Three more years then we will win another one. Qld are still too good
Nat
Roar Guru
Luckily for DCE, I don't think Walters is seeking advice from Roarers.
Nat
Roar Guru
I'll be interested to see how Munster goes next year. He surely impressed for Storm and Qld but always outside of Cronk. Morgan has proven his worth at 6 and 7 and with Inglis coming back Qld have Chambers, Holmes, Gagai, Slater don't rule out Boyd at 6 for maturity. Plus DCE, Hunt, Milford then Norman and Taylor waiting in line.
not so super
Guest
no, they are not as good
bearfax
Guest
As usual no mention of DCE. He was the best half last year but the QLD mafia wouldnt allow him his chance. All good for the Sea Eagles who will have their Captain during the rep season.
Nat
Roar Guru
Thanks for everything Cooper. You've achieved everything and not a better way to go out from rep footy. Now, as a Rooster - break a leg - literally :)
Jimmmy
Guest
EJ , they are just different types of players. Both have strong running games an while Morgs showed he has a lot more to his bow this year, I just don’t reckon either player is a Cronk or JT type. Long term I am looking at Croft from the Storm. I see a mini Cronk in him, but he will take a couple of year so Morgs and Munster it is. As an aside I am not adverse to thinking about DCE. He was wrong with JT ,he was wrong with Cronk, but with Morgs or Munster he may work. Choices , choices , its hard being a QLDer.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah that’s all it is - a slight regression. Although, as a NSW fan, not having Thurston or Cronk to kick last minute conversions or field goals should make the Origin experience less stresssful. And Lockyer before that. It looks like the clearly dominant halves pairings are no more. Not taking anything away from Morgan or Munster. But they aren’t in the same class as the 3 mentioned. Yet.