Cooking up a Storm

HE has not only emerged as the heir to Cameron Smith’s No.9 jumper for Australia, but an obstacle for Melbourne’s push for a third consecutive NRL minor premiership.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has identified Damien Cook as the key to shutting down the Rabbitohs when the heavyweights meet in a top-of-thetable clash tonight.

After helping NSW claim a State of Origin series win over Queensland this year, Cook is the frontrunner to take over from the retired Smith as the next Kangaroos hooker.

Bellamy said containing the Rabbitohs’ rake, who averages 30 run metres more than any other hooker this year, presents a challenge for his team at ANZ Stadium.

“Damien, with his sharpness out of dummy half behind such a big pack of forwards, that adds a different dimension to what we’ve defended the past 4-6 weeks,” he said yesterday.

South Sydney counterpart Anthony Seibold, who completed part of his coaching apprenticeship under Bellamy in Melbourne, was equal in his praise for the opposing No.9.

Seibold regards Smith as the best hooker in the game at 35 years of age.

But, more importantly, he believes the game’s most capped player has transformed his style to suit a spine that boasts three fullbacks in Billy Slater, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.

Hughes appears set to have beaten out playmakers Ryley Jacks and Brodie Croft to be the Storm’s halfback for this year’s finals series.

“They’ve got effectively three fullbacks with Billy, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes,” Seibold said.

“They’re all fantastic run- ners of the footy. They bring a lot of threat to defensive lines.”

But limiting Smith is the priority.

“The thing I’ve watched over the recent weeks is how well-controlled Smithy is through the middle of the park,” Seibold said.

“Obviously he’s the best hooker there’s been, but he’s made a big impact with the attack this year and those three guys are really effective running the footy.”