Mike Cooper discusses playing future and makes Wigan Warriors admission

Wigan Warriors’ prop Mike Cooper has claimed that he has yet to determine whether or not to participate in 2025, but he credits the Warriors and Matt Peet with rekindling his passion of the sport.

Cooper is expected to leave Wigan at the end of the season, after Love Rugby League revealed earlier this month that he was one of several Super League players who were told they would not be handed new contracts at their current clubs after this season.

He turns 36 later this year, however he missed about a year of the 2023 season due to a significant knee injury sustained just months after coming at the DW Stadium.

Cooper claimed that he still believes he has a lot to offer, but that he hasn’t decided on his future plans.

He told Love Rugby League, “We’ll just see what happens, but I’m not worried about it; what will be will be.” I missed a full year due to injury, so I’ll see how I wake up each morning!

“We’re just going to see how we feel, I’ve got no pressure, I’ve got other interests in the pipeline so we’ll see.. we’ll see how I feel.”

Cooper returns to his previous club Warrington with the Warriors this weekend, and he acknowledges that as he prepares to return to Halliwell Jones Stadium, he owes a lot to current coach Matt Peet.

“Matty has been great,” Cooper remarked. “To give me the opportunity to play in the World Club Challenge, even sign me in the first place, it’s been amazing.

“Winning more silverware would be a dream come true. It was a terrible time at Warrington because of who was in control and other factors, but Matty restored my love for the game. I have a lot of respect for him, and I consider him one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with. The club has been fantastic with me; I have absolutely enjoyed my time here.”

Cooper also acknowledges that he is aware of a possible Wembley appearance in next weekend’s Challenge Cup final against Warrington, and that he is keen to prove himself worthy of a spot in Wigan’s 17.

He admits: “To win a major game like we did in the semi-finals and then back it up the next week (against Salford), if we believed we’d be in this position before pre-season, we’d have certainly taken it. We are professional, but you would be lying if you said Wembley is not on your mind. However, for the time being, we are solely focused on the Super League.

“It’s a big decision on who Matt wants to go with, and we have to deal with it as players. We put on a Wigan shirt and have to perform to a specific level. You must perform to that quality or you will miss out.”