Centre Matt Cooper believes St George Illawarra's hard-fought World Club Challenge triumph was perfect preparation for the defence of their NRL premiership.

The Dragons had to be at their redoubtable best to hold off Super League Champions Wigan 21-15 in front of hostile home crowd in north-west England last week.

"It was a tough game, it felt like a semi-final and it was the best kind of preparation we could have for round one," said Cooper on Monday.

"It's a bit different to previous years, but we are better for it. It was a tough contest but good to play before round one.'

With the re-development of WIN Stadium in Wollongong still to be completed, the Dragons will open their season with four successive away fixtures, starting with a tough trip to the Gold Coast at Skilled Park on Saturday.

This is followed by a local derby at Cronulla and trips to Auckland to face the Warriors then Newcastle to meet the Knights.

Cooper conceded it was not the ideal way to start the season, but said winning on the road is not something that worries the premiers.

"We've aware of tough schedule in the first four rounds, but we are only focusing on Saturday night, then we'll move on and get ready for the Sharks which is always tough," he said.

"But winning the Premiership gives us confidence and we will go into the new season feeling that we can beat anyone."

Cooper said he was bitterly disappointed for Cameron King after the young hooker was ruled out for 20 weeks after tearing his pectoral muscle in the win over Wigan.

"It is a huge blow for him and I feel really sorry for Cam, he had looked so good in pre-season and really stepped up against Wigan," the NSW centre said.

"But we lost (Nathan) Fien for most of last year and he came back for the finals so that should give him hope."

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