Perth Bears have struck another cross-code recruitment blow with the signature of one of Australian rugby union’s hottest emerging talents, Cooper Watters.

Signing on for two years, the 20-year-old from Bathurst has played in the backline for the Australian Schoolboys and Australian Rugby Sevens sides.

Watters has also spent two years in the U20 Junior Wallabies as well as the NSW Waratahs program and was a standout performer in the 2025 U20 World Rugby Championship in Italy, topping both the line break and tackle counts for the Junior Wallabies.

This year Watters has played club rugby with Eastern Suburbs in Sydney but has now started training with the North Sydney Bears NSW Cup squad before he heads to Perth for pre-season training.

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Perth head coach Mal Meninga said Watters was exactly the type of young player the Bears were keen to develop.

“Cooper is a trailblazer – just like the Bears – in making this move from rugby union to rugby league,” he said.

“I love his commitment to the game and his confidence, he is being bold by joining the Bears, which is a core value of the club, as we look to build the foundations for a long and successful future.

“He comes from great Australian Schoolboys pedigree and Cooper’s background in sevens has given him something you can’t really coach – the ability to read space, beat defenders one-on-one and finish under pressure at speed.”

Watters played rugby league as junior and says he’s excited about his return to the 13-man game.

“Growing up I was a massive rugby league fan, so I am very excited about getting to live out my dream of one day playing in the NRL,” Watters said.

“I’ve loved every bit of my union and sevens journey, but when I look honestly at where my future is best served, I think league is the right path for me. I feel like my skillset is built for it.”

“I really believe the Bears are the right place to help me become the best version of myself as a footballer.”

Watters is earmarked for the wing and centre spots in the Bears debut season.