Reuben Cotter and Mackenzie Falco welcome baby girl just days after State of Origin debut

North Queensland Cowboys enforcer Reuben Cotter and his fiancee said they were overjoyed by the timely arrival of their little ray of sunshine, Sunny.

North Queensland Cowboys enforcer Reuben Cotter said he cried “tears of joy” after his partner Mackenzie Falco gave birth to their baby girl.

Their little ray of sunshine, Sunny, arrived at 8.36am June 11 at the Mothers’ Private Hospital on Oxford St, Hyde Park in Townsville just three days after Reuben made his Maroons debut in game one of the State of Origin.

Cotter, 23, was named as one of four debutants in the Queensland side after a breakout start to the 2022 season with the Townsville-based Cowboys.

Ms Falco, 25, said the couple had been running on adrenaline since the arrival of their daughter, who weighed 3.4kg and was 50cm long at birth.

North Queensland Cowboys enforcer Reuben Cotter said he cried “tears of joy” after his partner Mackenzie Falco gave birth to their baby girl. Picture: Supplied

“It’s so very exciting, we are so in love,” she said.

“We had no idea we were having a girl. Reuben always wanted a girl and he’s very smitten.

“There were definitely tears of joy.”

Speculation surrounded Sunny’s arrival last week, with a heavily pregnant Ms Falco wondering if their baby would be born while Reuben played his first Origin game on Wednesday night.

“Reuben was so nervous,” she said.

“He was at the birth and then so glad he made it for State of Origin – both memorable occasions.”

The Townsville couple “fell in love” with the name Sunny, with Ms Falco saying she also loved the colour yellow.

Mater Mothers’ Private Townsville Business and Midwifery Unit Manager Rebekah Barrie said it had been an incredibly special time for Sunny and her parents.

The Townsville couple “fell in love” with the name Sunny, with Ms Falco saying she also loved the colour yellow. Picture: Supplied

“Dad’s footy dream came true, and he was back in time to welcome his daughter into the world,” she said.

“That’s a win all around.”

NRL stars, including Cowboys teammate Chad Townsend, congratulated the couple on the birth of their first child via Ms Falco’s Instagram post about Sunny’s birth.

“Congrats guys,” Townsend wrote.

Maroons veteran Felise Kaufusi and Canberra Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh also commented on the post.

The State of Origin is an annual best-of-three rugby league series between two the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.

Queensland won the first game 16-10 against NSW at Sydney Olympic Park’s Accor Stadium.

Game two is scheduled for June 26 at the Optus Stadium in Perth with the final match scheduled for July 13 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Originally published as Reuben Cotter and Mackenzie Falco welcome baby girl just days after State of Origin debut