North Cup: CSU coach Peter Plunkett delighted at Jacinta Cooper's NSW Country nod

Cooper has been a star for CSU since joining their ranks in the Central West Rugby Union competition, her long range tries a regular feature for the students.

She was an integral part of the 2020 squad which won the inaugural North Cup, that premiership coming after she had lined up for Central West earlier in the year to play Sydney University in a Super W curtain raiser.

Cooper was again selected in the Central West Blue Bullettes squad this season and was part of their successful campaign at the NSW Country Rugby Union Championships.

Her efforts for Central West earned her a spot in the Corellas squad, her CSU coach Peter Plunkett saying that selection was certainly warranted.

"She deserves everything that comes her way, she is quite a professional athlete, she really takes her football serious," Plunkett said.

"So I'm really happy for her to get this recognition, I'd love to see her in that sort of better side where she'll probably blossom even more, playing those higher levels.

"So congratulations to her, it's a real pat on the back that's long over due."

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Plunkett has only taken on the role as coach of the university women's outfit this season and though not familiar with Cooper's playing history - she was also part of the CSU sevens outfit which won gold at the 2019 UniSport Nationals - it did not take long for him to recognise her talent.

It is talent he feels could lead her to a switch from the wing to the centres as her rugby career continues to evolve.

"This year, I just know myself and I can see it just from her playing on the wing, I think she's going to develop into a player who moves in a bit closer to the ball," Plunkett said.

"She's a very strong runner and she doesn't mind a collision, so I can really see her blossoming into a good centre.

"She runs those hard lines, those unders lines into the meat of the defence, she doesn't mind doing that. I've seen that part of her game blossom this year, it's not all just run round them.

"It's great to see her roll the sleeves up and do those hard runs."

Whether or not Cooper does make a switch to the centres, Plunkett knows the experience that will come with being part of the Corellas squad will make her an even better player.

Depending on the COVID-19 situation, Cooper will play at the Senior National XVs Championships in Adelaide later this year.

Her Corellas team-mates include five Bathurst Bulldogs in Mel Waterford, Marita Shoulders, Claudia McLaren, Jacinta Windsor and Molly Kennedy.

"I think it will just make her more keen, it's a bit of kick and giggle sometimes up there at CSU but not her, she's the ultimate sort of professional and it's just great to see her get that kind of recognition," Plunkett said.

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