‘My turn to match Ash’ says Kiah

KIAH Cooper has watched Ash Taylor become one of the NRL’s hottest halfbacks and now the Gold Coast young gun wants to follow in his cousin’s footsteps.

Cooper will make his first appearance for the Titans in tomorrow night’s pre-season trial against the Broncos in Toowoomba.

The 20-year-old centre landed on the Gold Coast this summer following two years at the Sydney Roosters, where he scored 22 tries in 50 NYC games.

Cooper grew up in Dirranbandi, 600km south west of Brisbane and just down the road from Taylor’s home town of St George.

“My dad (Mark) and his dad (Randall) are cousins,” Cooper said.

“I’ve known Ash all my life. We used to play footy against each other. He’d always carve us up. He was always too good for us.

“He’s keeping me in good shape. I’m living with him. It’s good to be around a professional like him. He cooks for me and his missus every night. I’ve tried to pay him rent, but he doesn’t let me.”

While Taylor will be rested from the Broncos trial, Cooper will get his first taste of an NRL-quality game in front of friends and family.

At 188cm and 96kg he is an imposing body out wide with a left-foot step and fend that could cause some damage in the big league.

Taylor, Dally M rookie of the year in 2016, said Cooper had the talent to be an NRL sensation.

“He can play, and he’s got a chance here to prove himself,” he said. He’s going to do everything he can and I’m going to do everything I can to get him that spot. I can connect with him easy.”