Nuptials and national honours in big weekend for Cotter

Reuben Cotter has already with the two to exchange wedding vows today, one day after he played in Australia’s dominant Pacific Championships win against Samoa.

It’s been more than a year in the planning, so the clash of dates for the North Queensland Cowboys star’s wedding and the opening match of the tournament was not ideal, but when the national coach Mal Meninga calls, you can’t really say no.

“(We have been planning for it) just over a year; you have to book well in advance these days, so looking forward to it,” Cotter said of his upcoming nuptials.

Part of a dominant forward pack that took the game away from Samoa from the get-go, Cotter said playing with the likes of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who scored a try and made 132 run metres, and player of the match Payne Haas who ran 172 metres and also scored a try in the 36-12 win, was special.

“They're both the best forwards in our game,” Cotter said. “The way they started tonight was, was unreal.

“They've been doing it all year, so it was great to see them play the way they do.”

The Gallagher Kangaroos had set up base in North Queensland this week before playing in front of the 18,144 strong crowd, with Cotter enjoying being able to stay close to home.

“It was definitely good to prepare closer to home; we had a good time in Airlie and trained really well,” Cotter said.

“And we played pretty well tonight and it was a good performance. The first half was obviously a lot better than the second; but clean up a few errors and it was a great match.

“Samoa were also a good team and they came after us, particularly in the second half and they didn't really go away, so credit to them.”

With the Kangaroos having this next week off while Samoa travel to New Zealand to take on the Kiwis, Cotter was looking forward to the time away from footy – and celebrating his marriage – before regrouping for Australia’s next match against NZ in Melbourne.

“Get away from footy, but do a bit to maintain (fitness); you don't want to lose all the hard work you've done in the last week,” Cotter said.

“So will definitely maintain and do a little bit during the week.”