NRL All Stars representative Matt Cooper's pursuit of peak form at the start of the NRL season has been hamstrung, with the star centre pulling out of tomorrow night's
Mercury Challenge.
Cooper has battled hamstring tightness and a possible strain this week and will be rested for the clash with the Bulldogs at WIN Stadium.
The 30-year-old was to play as part of a virtually full strength Dragons line-up in the first half of the trial game, but has been replaced by Nick Emmett in the starting team.
Full coverage of the Dragons It is expected Cooper will be available for next Saturday's Charity Shield against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
After battling a heel injury last season, Cooper is on a mission to reclaim his NSW State of Origin jersey and took the first steps back to representative football when he was selected for the NRL All Stars team.
Dragons coach Wayne Bennett has selected two teams for tomorrow night's battle, choosing a full NRL line-up for the first half before handing the club's fringe players and young guns a chance to impress after the break.
Emmett was to play in the second half, but is now likely to play 60-80 minutes.
The Mercury Challenge is also a chance for Wests Tigers recruit Peni Tagive to stake his claim to the NRL line-up.
The right centre position is likely to be a contest between Tagive and Beau Scott, a rock in defence last year.
A number of other new players will be on show in front of Wollongong fans for the first time, including props Michael Greenfield and Junior Paulo, hooker Jack Bosden and fullback Bronx Goodwin.
The Bulldogs have named an 18-man squad, which features star centre Josh Morris, former Melbourne premiership player Steve Turner and Queensland Origin front-rower Ben Hannant.
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