Matthew Cooper

A desire to play rugby at a higher level prompted Matthew Cooper’s move to Hamilton from Napier in 1989.

He had already played for the All Blacks on the tour to Japan in 1987 after some outstanding performances for Hawke’s Bay, but he saw Waikato as providing the first division base on which he could further establish his game.

Soon after the 1.88m, 90kg, Cooper linked up with the Hamilton Marist club he was in the Waikato squad where he played both at centre and at fullback and became goalkicker.

His solid performances and points scoring efforts for Waikato kept him to the forefront and eventually he was given his chance at international level against Ireland in Wellington in 1992. His 23 points in his debut test was a record and on the strength of that showing he was chosen for the All Black tour to Australia and South Africa that same year.

Played against the British Isles in New Zealand in 1993 and went to Scotland and England later that year where he became firmly established in the All Black midfield and took over the goalkicking role with great success. However, injury ruled him out of the test against England. He returned to play two tests against France in 1994.

Born Gisborne, October 10,1966, Cooper was educated Napier Marist Brothers and St John’s College Schools where he was a member of first XV from 1982-84. In 1984 played for NZ secondary schools against Australia then toured with the team to Britain. He made his Hawke’s Bay debut in 1985 as an 18-year-old.

Chosen to play for the Otago Highlanders in the inaugural Super 12 series in 1996, Cooper soon proved his value with a couple of match-winning performances and that form saw him called up for the All Black tour to South Africa. On his return, Cooper topped 1000 points for Waikato. He continued to represent Waikato until 1999 and with 1604 points holds the union’s scoring record. He also appeared for Waikato Chiefs 1997-99.

His elder brother Greg J L Cooper, a fullback, was an All Black 1986, 1992, making seven appearances, all test matches.