Kieran Foran has called on the Gold Coast Titans to do everything possible to retain young gun Cooper Bai amid interest from the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters to sign him. The 18-year-old made his NRL debut in the final round of the regular season, coming off the bench in the Titans’ win over the Wests Tigers.
He showed his immense talent with a line-break, two tackle-breaks and 76 running metres in just 29 minutes of action. The teenager is highly rated and represented Queensland in Under-19 State of Origin this year.
Cooper is the son of Melbourne Storm legend Marcus Bai, who played 144 games for the club and helped them win their first NRL premiership in 1999. Marcus also played 18 games for the Gold Coast Chargers, as well as 63 for Leeds Rhinos and 26 for Bradford Bulls in the UK Super League.
The Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm (L) are reportedly interested in Titans phenom Cooper Bai (R). Image: Getty
His father’s connection to the Storm has Melbourne officials keen to lure Cooper away from the Gold Coast, while the Roosters are also reportedly keen to try and poach the prodigious talent. Speaking on SEN radio this week, retiring Titans great Foran implored the club to go all-out in trying to retain him.
“It wasn’t surprising to us what he did in his NRL debut,” Foran said. “This kid is 18 and he is built like a brick sh**house. He is an absolute machine.
“He put it to our seasoned front-rowers in pre-season training and was going after the likes of Tino (Fa’asuamaleaui) and RCG (Reagan Campbell-Gillard). And you just knew there was something special about him.
“I went and watched his first Queensland Cup game for Tweed. He dead-set ran for 200 metres, scored two tries and made three line-breaks. They couldn’t handle him. He was a step above them. He’s an extraordinary talent and someone we cannot afford to lose. I just feel like the sky’s the limit for this guy. I couldn’t have a higher opinion of him.”
Cooper is the son of Melbourne Storm legend Marcus Bai. Image: Getty
Cooper Bai keen to stay at Gold Coast Titans
Cooper is off contract at the end of next year, but insists he wants to remain a Titan. “I see a bright future at the Titans,” he told AAP. “We have new coaches coming in and I can’t wait to get back to training. I grew up here so it would good if I can stay.”
Whether or not the 18-year-old will be able to resist the lure of a heavyweight club like Melbourne or the Roosters remains to be seen. The Titans have brought in Josh Hannay to replace Des Hasler as coach, as well as Scott Sattler as the new director of football.
Cooper Bai set for PNG debut in Pacific Championships
Cooper will get another chance to showcase his talents when he makes his international debut for PNG in the Pacific Championships. He’ll take part in the Pacific Bowl competition (the second tier) which will also features Fiji and Cook Islands from October 18.
The teenager will also get a taste of international action when he plays for the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII team against Australia’s equivalent in Port Moresby on Sunday, although it’s not an official Test. “I can’t wait to play for Papua New Guinea. Last year I injured my ankle so I wasn’t able to play,” Bai told AAP.
“It would mean everything to play for my country. The whole of PNG has given me great support. When I made my NRL debut they got right behind me.”
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Cooper said father Marcus, who played 13 Tests for PNG, has been his guide, while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Mo Fotuaika have been valued mentors at the Titans. “Dad has done so much for my career. Since I was a kid he brought me up the right way, to be a good person first,” Bai said.
“He taught me to take the steps to get me where I am today as a rugby league player. His best advice has been that hard work means everything and you are not going to achieve anything without it. I have always been a back-rower or a middle. I grew up looking up to how guys like Victor Radley, Cameron Murray and Isaiah Yeo play the game.”