20 Questions: Cooper Vuna – Worcester wing

Looking forward to take on Exeter today?
Massively! Expectations are always pretty big when we play at Sixways and after losing a couple of close games there we desperately need that one.
Worried about that ten-game losing streak?
We don’t look at it like that. We try to take it game by game and work hard to improve. I think we’ve done that in recent weeks and we competed well even if we couldn’t get the win in the end.
Are you worried about your situation?
It is frustrating because it’s hard to keep trying your hardest knowing you will fall short regardless. But we’ve been working hard to make sure we can compete for the full 80 minutes.
Confident you can avoid relegation?
Definitely! We might be a bunch of nobodies without the Test experience some of the other teams but we deserve to be in the Premiership and I’m confident we can stay up.
Is today a crucial game for the Warriors’ season?
It’s too early to talk about crucial game I think. We have a plan over the next block of ten games but it all starts at home. People don’t like to come to Sixways so we’re looking forward to taking the Chiefs.
What do you expect from them?
Their confidence will be pretty high after beating the Ospreys and reaching the Champions Cup quarter-finals. We’ll try our best and, hopefully, disrupt them.
Happy with your own season?
I’ve been pretty lucky to play in every Premiership game so far despite not getting the results we’d like.
What about your try count?
I’ve managed to get over the line four times which I’m quite happy about. That’s my job to put the ball down and it’s the least I can do after my teammates put me into space.
Do you feel under pressure to perform?
Coming from the Southern Hemisphere I feel like there’s some pressure on me but I quite enjoy it and I try my best to help the team. Having Bryce Heem on the other wing pushes me hard, too, because we always compare each other.
What are you working on personally?
I’m trying to up my work rate and get around the park a bit more. You can’t just be a winger on the wing in this game. I’m not used to chasing kicks too much so that’s something I’m working on.
Four years since you switched from Rugby League?
Yes. It’s been a great challenge for me. But having a lot of experience around me at the Rebels helped me to make the transition.
Played alongside Danny Cipriani there, didn’t you?
Being the fly-half, he moulded me into this game when I switched. Having Stirling Mortlock also helped me.
How do you look back at Rugby League?
I really enjoyed playing for the Auckland Warriors and the Newcastle Knights. I was very young but to have that experience was huge for me. It’s made me who I am today.
Why the switch then?
My dad is a rugby union man but back in Auckland I followed my friends and played League. I made the Warriors’ first team very young and although I knew he didn’t really like it I kept playing. But when the opportunity came to switch I decided to do it for him.
He must have been over the moon?
I’ll never forget the day I made my Test debut for Australia. When I sang the anthem I looked straight at him and you could tell how proud he was. It was very emotional.
If not rugby, what would you be doing?
I’m a team man so I’d have joined the Army. I’m still thinking about it for after rugby but my wife doesn’t want me to. So the police could be an alternative.
Favourite cheat meal?
Everyone at the club knows I love my peanut M&Ms.
Three special dinner guests?
I’m a big fan of Kanye West and Jay-Z so they’d have to be there. Kevin Hart would bring the entertainment.
Best and worst banter at Worcester?
GJ van Velze has to be the worst while Ryan Lamb has got some good chat.
Best and worst dressed?
Sam Betty is the worst but Luke Baldwin looks good.