More than two decades after he was first crowned rugby league’s sexiest player, former St George Illawarra Dragons star Matt Cooper is searching for something far more meaningful.
The former NSW and Kangaroos representative is set to appear on the new season of Channel Seven’s Aussie First Dates, where he opens up about life after the breakdown of his marriage, and his hopes of finding love again.
But the first glimpse of his blind date suggests romance doesn’t come easily, with the pair sharing an awkward greeting that immediately leaves both scrambling.
A second promotional clip shows Cooper attempting to greet his date with a kiss on the cheek before the moment goes awry.
‘That wasn’t awkward, sorry,’ she says, laughing off the uncomfortable exchange.
There’s more disappointment for the footy great when the restaurant bartender reveals the former State of Origin star’s famous past.
Footy great Matt Cooper’s attempt to find love on TV got off to a painfully awkward start after a bungled cheek kiss left him and his date laughing nervously
‘Were you?’ Cooper’s date asks in disbelief after learning about his famous ‘Sexiest Man of League’ titles
The restaurant bartender’s attempt to break the ice with a photo request was met by two very unimpressed expressions
He tells Cooper’s date the former NRL star was once voted the sexiest player in rugby league.
‘Were you?’ she asks.
‘Twice,’ Cooper replies, prompting laughter from across the table.
The bartender then asks whether he can take a photo of the pair, but both Cooper and his date stare back in silence, looking distinctly unimpressed by the suggestion.
Earlier promotional footage saw Cooper debut a striking new appearance, sporting a shaved undercut with a long, braided ponytail that gives him a Viking-inspired look.
The 47-year-old also speaks candidly about re-entering the dating world after spending more than two decades with his former wife.
‘I was with my wife for 21 years,’ he says.
‘It has been good being single for a bit over two years now, but I think everyone needs someone, you know, in their life. That’s a cool feeling, you know?’
Matt Cooper and his former wife share two daughters from their relationship
The former Dragons star admits he wants someone to love him for being ‘just the dad’ above everything else
Cooper explains that his greatest concern is finding someone who’s interested in him rather than his sporting profile.
‘The reason I’m single at the moment is because I feel like I don’t know what the girl’s intentions are,’ he says.
‘Are they in the relationship because they actually like me as a person?
‘Not Matt Cooper the footy player, not Matt Cooper the person who has been on TV – you know, Matt Cooper, just the dad.’
He says honesty is his biggest priority when looking for a partner.
‘So what I am looking for in a partner would be someone who is honest, is themselves, don’t put on a persona just because you sit next to me,’ he says.
‘I like brunettes, nice eyes, pretty face.’
The appearance marks another television role for Cooper, who retired from the NRL in 2013 after a decorated career with the Dragons, including the club’s 2010 premiership triumph.
After more than two decades with his former wife, Cooper hopes Aussie First Dates delivers a genuine second chance at love
Cooper (pictured with UFC star Alexander Volkanovski) also dabbled in combat sports after his footy career ended
He also represented NSW in 13 State of Origin matches and played seven Tests for Australia before becoming a familiar face on reality television through shows including Dancing With the Stars, Celebrity Apprentice and Big Brother VIP.
Cooper’s return to the spotlight comes several years after he and his wife Dallas amicably separated following more than 20 years together. The former couple share two daughters.
While the bartender’s revelation about Cooper’s ‘sexiest man’ status becomes an icebreaker on his blind date, it is a title he once admitted he never wanted to define him.
After first winning the award as a shy 21-year-old in 2001 before claiming it again later in his career, Cooper insisted his football achievements mattered far more than his modelling work.
‘I don’t want to be known for all this modelling stuff,’ he said in a 2009 interview.
‘I want to be known for my footy.’
