Cronk ‘ready to go now’

COOPER Cronk will pull on a Sydney Roosters jumper next weekend for the first time since his grand final heroics, with coach Trent Robinson declaring: “He’s strong, he’s fast, he’s ready.”

Cronk has been named in the Roosters World Club Challenge side to play Wigan 4½ months after being thrust into rugby league folklore by playing last year’s grand final with a 15cm fracture through his scapula.

The star halfback has recovered fully from off-season surgery and will now contest the WCC before attempting to push the Roosters to historic back-to-back victories.

“He is ready to go now. His shoulder is good, he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s in good shape. And then there is still time to get better before the NRL season starts,” Robinson said.

“He had an extended period of time off until January. He is a professional so he did some stuff on his own getting ready.

“Cooper has built well over the last five weeks. He has got 15 plus of pre-seasons under his belt so he is ready to go.

“It (the grand final) was one of the biggest contributions in a game on the biggest stage that there has ever been in the history of our sport. And I don’t think I’m one for overstating stuff.

“That was rugby league at its finest on that day.”

“(Whether he plays next season) is his choice. He is a strong man, he knows himself and will make the right decision for him at the right time.”