Cooper Cronk and Tara Rushton tie the knot

It’s been a huge year for NRL superstar Cooper Cronk but there is little doubt the crowning achievement was his marriage today.

He has a premiership ring with Melbourne Storm, he won the World Cup with the Kangaroos and starred in another Origin series win but it all pales in comparison to his marriage to Fox Sports presenter Tara Rushton.

The fiercely private couple whispered their vows at the exclusive Northern Beaches restaurant Jonah’s at Whale Beach today.

A number of high profile NRL and Storm teammates, including Will Chambers and Billy Slater, made the trip as did a number of Fox Sports’ key personnel.

It caps a huge year for Cronk who left the Storm after 14 years and 323 games with the club, and joined the Sydney Roosters so he could be closer to Rushton, who is based in Sydney.

Cronk said at the announcement of his decision to leave Melbourne that he had been selfish about his career and it was time he changed that.

“I’m jealous of the guys who have their families here, who have their loved ones and have football in the same city,” Cronk said at the time of his announcement last April.

“Unfortunately — or fortunately — whichever side you sit on, it’s time for me to try and prioritise my time and my future and that’s why I’ve made the announcement.

“.... If it was a football decision, I’d be staying here for a long period of time. But for me to finish up here at Melbourne Storm this year is a personal (decision) ... there’s a few things in life that are more important than football, like family, getting married and a future.

“I’ve been pretty selfish in my approach to my football career and I think it’s time I put someone else and something else first.”

The ceremony and reception is for close friends and family.