The star centre said at the Steamers’ first training of the year at Waites Park last night that he was a bit sceptical after the Steamers crashed out of the Southern Inland Rugby Union finals in the first round last year, but was confident of going at least one step better this year.

“We should have won it last year with the team we had,” Cook said.

“On paper, our team this year looks wicked with a few new players.

“We probably lacked in a couple of positions last year so, hopefully, we’ve brought in players to strengthen us up.”

The Steamers recruits include former junior Blake LeCornu who returns after several years in Sydney.

Cook said LeCornu, a backline player, “looked very useful” but he was equally excited about New Zealand recruit, lock James Kora.

“He’s huge,” Cook said. “He’s about 300 pounds — our scrum is not going to move when he’s on the field.”

Jim Lollback, Nathan Bright and Justin Wheatley will make up the team’s leadership group with Cook.

Off-field, Don Cameron has signed on for his fifth successive year as coach, while Justin Clancy is club president in place of Nathan Bright who stepped down last year.