THINGS WE LEARNED IN THE QLD DERBY FATIMA KDOUH Cool, calm Roosters recruit just like Cronk: Keary
SYDNEY Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary can already see the similarities between his new halves partner, Kyle Flanagan, and four-time premiership winner Cooper Cronk.
The tricolours playmaker said that 21-year-old Flanagan’s temperament was drawing comparisons with halfback legend Cronk around the Bondi club.
Flanagan’s (pictured) composure is “rare” for a player of his inexperience
Keary says.
“I think the biggest similarity is their temperament, which is gold in a No. 7 and it’s rare in a kid that age to be so cool and calm,” Keary said. “He doesn’t get flustered. He reminds me a lot of Cooper in his mindset.
“Physically they are built the same too, they have the same physical attributes. Kyle is not your flashy half who is and youth, going to step three blokes to score. He works hard at his game. He’s got very good skills and a good kicking and passing game.”
Flanagan, a Cronulla Sharks junior, was released from the final two years of his deal in the Shire to join the back-to-back premiers.
He is being groomed as Cronk’s long-term replacement in the Roosters’ No. 7 jumper.
He took time to find his groove, but Valentine Holmes clearly has not lost his class.
It was a rough start in a Cowboys jersey for the fullback, losing possession with his first touch in attacking territory. Things worsened when a drop led to Jake Turpin’s opening try.
But where there is Holmes
Keary was particularly impressed with Flanagan’s performance in the Roosters’ World Club Challenge victory against St Helens last month.
“I thought he was super, super impressive for us in the World Club Challenge,” Keary said.
“He didn’t try to overplay his hand – he got the basics right, he competed hard, he kicked, he chased, he defended well and he ended up icing a there are points, and he found them in spades.
He crossed in the left-hand corner for the first Cowboys try at their new home ground, and set up Kyle Feldt on the right for their second.
When Jason Taumalolo met Tevita Pangai Junior in the middle of Suncorp Stadium last year he came off incouple of tries for us at the end of the game too.” Cronk called time on his illustrious career after the Roosters’ grand final l victory last October but he will l remain heavily involved at the e club and will work closely with h Flanagan and Keary.
“Coops doesn’t try to shove e things down our throat, we’ve e gone through everything we e need to do as a new halves s partnership to prepare ourrselves,” Keary said.