YORK Knights boss Mark Applegarth has been impressed by new recruit Sam Cook, feeling as though he has settled in seamlessly at the club.

The former NRL star made his Knights debut in last weekend’s 40-0 demolition of Dewsbury Rams, having made the move to North Yorkshire just two days into Applegarth’s fledgling tenure.

Introduced from the bench with 25 minutes to play, he originally replaced Josh Daley at hooker, before going on to feature at both loose forward and in the halves.

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Cook, 30, is no stranger to some of the Knights, having played alongside Ata Hingano and been in the same circles as Jesse Dee, something his new boss believes has helped him settle in at the club.

“He’s settled in, and started at the same time as me,” Applegarth explained. “He’s played with Ata before, and I think that’s helped him quite a lot behind the scenes.

“He’s a good professional, speaks well, and is obviously intelligent in how he sees the game and plays the game.

“The lads have really responded well to him and he’s vocal - he speaks when he feels he can add value. I’m really happy with how he’s fitted into the club.”

Applegarth, who spent two years Down Under with the Central Queensland Comets after his first spell playing for the Knights, expects that Cook will only be better for his time spent away from his native Australia.

He admitted: “[Playing away from your home country] definitely develops you as a player, take the rugby league away from it.

“Anyone that’s willing to go and travel and live in a different environment and different culture will bring you on as a person for sure.

“But the main thing for me is that we’ve got Sam Cook, and he’s a good addition to our squad that will add competition.”