JERSEY REDS lock Macauley Cook says winning the Championship is the side’s aim this season – although that is not all that is currently on the players’ minds.
Cook played a starring role as stand-in skipper at Caldy on Saturday, scoring a try and leading from the front as the tier-two team continued their 100% winning record.
But the Welshman has stated that while they are enjoying their rugby, they have sympathy with fellow players caught up in the financial issues that have seen Worcester put into administration and Wasps on the brink.
Speaking about Jersey’s start to the season, he said: ‘One hundred per cent, we obviously want to win the league this season. That’s the ultimate aim but we realise it’s always difficult with teams like Ealing, Cornish Pirates and Doncaster, who are competitive.
‘It’s going to be a difficult task but all we can do is take it game by game and keep winning and keep up with the top boys.
‘We’ve definitely got the right balance between experience and youth. With too many young ones there’s not so many voices and leadership. But we recruited really well in the summer and with the likes of Max Argyle, Steven Longwell, Scott Van Breda, Brendan Cope and James Mitchell, there’s experience in the ranks and I’m excited to see what we can produce. Let’s see if we can go all the way.’
The 30-year-old, who has also featured at blindside for the Reds, has been ever-present this term and he believes that balance, as well as Harvey Biljon’s drive for a bigger, more competitive squad, is key.
Cook, who is in his third season at St Peter, said: ‘It’s a good group with lots of leaders. Lewis Wynne as captain does a great job and they were big shoes to fill at Caldy. But it’s easier covering as skipper this season compared to last; the senior boys all do lots of talking so it’s never just me with a voice on the pitch.’
The former Cardiff Blues forward is one of several at Jersey who have been at clubs with an uncertain future. On the subject the rumour mill around the Premiership, he said: ‘There’s always talk of the Welsh regions, rumours running around left, right and centre, but the Premiership is strong enough and they don’t need Welsh teams to make it stronger. It’s the best league in the world.
‘I’ve been there at a club with issues and it’s not nice for the players involved, so sorting out the issues at Worcester and Wasps should be the focus to help those caught up, and getting promotion and relegation open again.
‘We feel Jersey could compete at that level again if we did get there. It’s a tough ask with great sides in the Championship but if we win the league and get promoted, then we feel we can compete.
‘There’s obviously other issues off the field as well to sort out, but we showed in our tough pre-season that we can already hold our own [with Premiership teams]. We’re playing well and we need to just focus on game by game in the Championship first.’
