Stat Attack: The hookers who don't just play dummy half

Damien Cook became renowned for his speed out of dummy half but NRL.com Stats reveal that he was also dominant among NRL hookers away from the ruck.

An outstanding 2018 campaign for the Rabbitohs resulted in Cook being rewarded with the NSW and Australian No.9 jumper, with South Sydney locking him up with a new contract for the next four seasons.

While the image of Cook that comes to mind is a scoot after a quick play-the-ball, it turns out the Rabbitohs rake actually handled the ball away from dummy-half more often than any other hooker in the Telstra Premiership.

The Dally M Hooker of the Year had 1915 touches from dummy half and 377 receipts outside of that position – topping the competition's No.9s with 16% of his involvements coming outside of dummy half.

It shows the Blues speedster led the way for his position not just in dummy-half play but in getting his hands on the ball in other ways, be it as a playmaker, ball runner or support player.

Former Queensland and Australian hooker Cameron Smith is renowned for his playmaking skills and ranked second in this stat, with his 351 receipts away from dummy-half making up 15% of his touches.

There was a significant drop to third and fourth place when it came to total touches for hookers last season, with Manly's Apisai Koroisau (163 touches outside dummy-half, 14%), and Wests Tigers star Robbie Farah (144 touches outside dummy-half, 14%) the next best.

Warriors Issac Luke finished with 12% of receipts outside of dummy half, ahead of Canberra's Josh Hodgson, Manly's Manase Fainu and the Wests Tigers' Pita Godinet on 11%.