Just like Shane Webcke and Matt Scott before him, Reuben Cotter is not just a pretty face.
The trio dispel the myth that middle forwards are good for running straight and hard on a football field but not a whole lot else.
Webcke was a television news presenter for two decades and runs his 800-hectare sheep and cattle farm, while Scott is an accomplished cook who makes his own pasta.
Cotter has a Bachelor of Business Management from James Cook University and has plans to own and operate his own charter boat company.
“I studied after a left high school and I was injured for about three years so I was able to get the degree done during that time,” said Cotter, who suffered multiple ACL tears between 2016-18.
“I’ve always had an interest in business and in starting my own business, so if I wasn’t playing football right now maybe I’d be involved in a fishing charter business.”
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But the 27-year-old Cowboy is busy at present with the Australian Kangaroos aiming to finish a month of international rugby league by defeating New Zealand on Sunday to lift the IRL 2026 World Cup.
He confesses some people judge him, or other forwards, as having less neurons than others merely because of the amount of hit-ups and tackles they make.
“Yeah, I find you can get that at times... that we drink beer, play football, and not much else,” Cotter said.
“But we’re playing at the highest level and away from family a lot so hobbies are an important thing I feel, so I can use my brain for other things.
“For me, I play a bit of guitar in my spare time. It’s nice and relaxing – I obviously love to go fishing, and I love cooking as well.
“You just try different things and I love being in the kitchen on my days off. I try different things with fish that I catch and I’m into smoking meats.
“I don’t have to think about much apart from what ingredients will work best.”
Cotter is by no means fed up with football. It’s been his life and he’s pretty good at it – three Origin series win with Queensland, plus a Ron McAuliife Medal and Wally Lewis Medal (both in 2023).
“I love rugby league. I’ve played since I was eight years-old – always in the middle at hooker or lock growing up," he said.
“I suppose I love spending that time with my mates. It’s a pretty unique job in that sense, spending all week with them before we all test ourselves at the highest level on weekends.”
Cotter has played in all four Kangaroos wins so far, against the Kiwis, Fiji, Cook Islands and Samoa in the semi-finals.
Coach Kevin Walters has named him this Sunday to come off the bench once more, like Cameron Murray, to bring that impact onto the field.
And after it’s all over, you’ll find Cotter packing his fishing gear and sharpening his filleting knives.
- Tune into Channel 7 this Sunday to see the Kangaroos and Kiwis battle for World Cup supremacy. LIVE from 6.30pm AEDT
