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WITH Willie Tonga hurt on the sideline, Cowboys second-rower Gavin Cooper was offered the task of filling the shoes of a Queensland and Australian representative. 

The job meant slotting a couple of metres out towards the centres and absent from his beloved second-row spot.

Cooper took around the centre's duties with some caution in the lead-up to Saturday's encounter in opposition to the Roosters, even though in hindsight he had no need to be concerned.

The 25-year-old played the full 80 minutes and played his component within the 20-6 victory, making 3 offloads such as 1 to Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston who as a result posted the Cowboy's last try. It had been the attempt that saw Thurston create a touching tribute to a well-loved and recently deceased former Cowboy, placing his hand on the newly embroidered words "Sam Faust 184" on the team's playing strip before searching in the direction of the sky.

"It was just the same old tale, running the proper hole and getting the ball," Cooper said of his part in the symbolic four-pointer.

"But I didn't get much ball out within the centres, I'm not really utilized to it ... I will just keep plugging absent.

"Hopefully I will not be out there too long ... and I get back again into 2nd row and get back to business."

Cooper isn't unfamiliar with taking his place in the centres, getting played the position throughout his eight-year NRL profession. But relocating through the group motor room to needing to mark some of the quickest athletes in Australian sport could be daunting.

"I do not thoughts it (being a centre), but coming up against some of the faster men we're dealing with in the subsequent couple of weeks may be a bit difficult," Cooper stated.

"But if I am out there, I will do the task.

"I've played a fair bit of centre prior to, I just prefer it within the 2nd row. But it's truly not much various - just another few of actions wider around the area."

Antonio Winterstein, who was among the Cowboys' bigger off-season signings, endorsed the efficiency of his centre companion on Saturday.

"It's a big change heading from the front from the middle towards the centres," Winterstein said.

"It was a large problem for him but he stepped as much as the plate and I think he created his impact out there.

"He writes himself off a bit I believe, he was a little worried about getting out of dummy-half because he said he wasn't quick sufficient.

"But he created some pretty good yards down their left edge and he brought on issues for (Roosters centre) Shaun Kenny-Dowall there.

"I think he won that battle anyway."

Cooper obtained a couple of new stitches to his chin after the game but was by no means the largest damage problem for the Cowboys around the evening.

Dallas Johnson and Aaron Payne endured heavy concussion during the game.

But each players returned to action on the night and weren't on the Cowboys injury list.

Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott, who has been suffering a niggling ankle injury of late, stated the Cowboys had devoted their win on Saturday evening to former teammate Faust.

"There's sufficient men here who played with Fausty and realized him well sufficient to wish to play nicely for him," he said.

"I suppose, within the big picture, it's an insignificant gesture but it's something we could do for a former Cowboy along with a mate."

Scott also stated it was a privilege getting Faust's title subsequent to his heart whilst in the warmth of battle.

"I believe it's a great gesture by the club," he stated.

"It's some thing pretty unique and it exhibits what influence he had around the club and also the people in the club."

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