Reuben Cotter's cheeky message to Kangaroos rivals ahead of wedding
Kangaroos forward Reuben Cotter will get married the day after representing his country against Samoa.
North Queensland Cowboys enforcer Reuben Cotter has begged Samoan players to not mess his face up ahead of Saturday night's game. The Kangaroos star will run out for Australia just hours before marrying his long-time partner Mackenzie on Sunday.
The Maroons forward has never been one to shy away from a heavy tackle but hopes he can escape the Pacific Championships opener in Townsville relatively unscathed. "Obviously the wedding is on Sunday, so it will ruin the wedding photos if I've got a few black eyes or a couple splits," Cotter told 9News. "We've got photoshop these days too, which helps. "
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The couple has decided to put their Fijian honeymoon on hold so Cotter can play in the game against New Zealand as well as in a potential Pacific Championships final. Cotter said there was no way he or his soon to be wife would suggest he missed the opportunity to represent his country.
"I couldn't say no. She said 'you've got to play'," Cotter said. "It's pretty special, any opportunity you get to pull on the green and gold is pretty special."
The Cowboys forward made his Kangaroos debut at last year's World Cup but failed to make the team for the final against Samoa. The two teams will face off again on Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Mal Meninga hands four players Australian debuts
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has named four debutants in his side to take on Samoa on Saturday. Selwyn Cobbo, Katoni Staggs and Hamiso Tabuai Fidow were all selected in his 21-man squad for the Pacific Championships.
They have since been joined by debutant Dylan Edwards who earned a late call-up following Josh Addo-Carr's suspension. The Bulldogs flyer has been sanctioned by the NRL over his involvement in a brawl at the Koori Knockout Indigenous carnival.
Away from the four debutants, Daly Cherry-Evans starts at halfback with Nathan Cleary withdrawing from the tournament with a knee injury. Nine of the Kangaroos World Cup final team has been selected in the 17 to face Samoa, with Jake Trbojevic the most notable absentee, left out of the team despite starting at prop in last year's decider.
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