Reuben Cotter makes call on Cowboys availability

Maroons ironman Reuben Cotter has decided whether to back up for the Cowboys four days after a herculean 80-minute shift in the Queensland back-row.

Maroons ironman Reuben Cotter is “locked in” to return for the Cowboys against Melbourne, four days after a herculean 80-minute shift in the Queensland back-row.

Cotter, and New South Wales hooker Api Korisau, were the only forwards not to leave the field in Queensland’s 26-18 win over the Blues in Adelaide.

That was never the plan, Cotter conceded, but a strategic recovery effort has ensured he will join his Cowboys teammates against the Storm on Sunday.

“I’m locked in, I’m good to go,” Cotter declared.

“I’ll do some more recovery on Saturday and get the body going again. I should be right.”

SOO 2023 RD01 Queensland v New South Wales - Reuben Cotter, Man of the Match Picture NRL Photos

A dislocated shoulder to Maroons backrower Tom Gilbert forced Cotter out of his prop position and onto the right edge after 18 minutes, a position he did not train during the week and has only played once before as a professional.

Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt ran an on-field crash course teaching Cotter the finer art of back row defence.

Cotter’s relentless nature did the rest, earning man of the match honours in a Queensland victory for the ages.

“It wasn’t part of the plan at all,” Cotter said.

“I expected to play a little bit of left back-row at some point but never the right - I didn’t do any reps with (Daly) Cherry-Evans on that side.

“I tried to keep things simple, like I usually do, so being thrown onto the edge that way was probably for the best. I didn’t have to think about it too hard, I just ripped in.”

Cotter said an “early” 3am bedtime, lots of food and water, a hi-tech compression device and effortless travel, thanks to Stage and Screen Travel Services, were the keys to making his Sunday comeback a reality.

Reuben Cotter of the Maroons. Picture: Getty Images)

“We do a lot of travel from Townsville and it’s important to make sure you get recovered while you’re on the road, so I’m very grateful to Stage and Screen for always taking good care of us,” he said.

“There were a few scuffles which broke the game up a little, which helped us, but it (the pace of Origin) is everything I remembered it to be and more.

“Hydration is big for me. I got straight into that, then sleep is the next biggest one. Luckily we play on Sunday so it gives me a few extra days.

“I slept 10 hours on Thursday night and more on Friday. Ice baths and my Normatec machine on my legs, a couple of times a day once I got home.

North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland Maroons prop Reuben Cotter using the hi-tech Normatec compression machine. Picture: Supplied

Cotter explained the Normatec device helped boost the circulation of blood in his legs via compression to promote recovery.

“I used it as soon as I got home and I’ll use them a couple of times every day, whenever I’m just sitting around.”

Cotter praised the toughness of outside backs Murray Taulagi and Valentine Holmes, who are also battling soreness to return for North Queensland.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten expects his Origin players to back up on Sunday, while co-captain Jason Taumalolo is also a possibility to return.

Murray Taulagi still needed to pass test with the medical team before he is cleared to play after leaving the field on Wednesday to undergo a HIA.

Valentine Holmes will slot into the centres while Reuben Cotter’s role has not yet been finalised.

“All those guys had big moments in that game and obviously Reubs got man of the match playing 80 minutes in a position he’s not familiar with,” Payten said.

“Reubs is understandably sore today, we need to get his body moving tomorrow and we expect him in the lineup.”

Taumalolo trained with the Cowboys on Tuesday and Thursday but the final decision will not be made until Saturday.

“He’s got a bit more work to do before we make a decision but things are looking positive,” Payten said.

“Whichever way we go, our decision will be based on what’s best for Jason long-term. A lot of that will be based on how he’s feeling himself.”

Originally published as Reuben Cotter makes call on Cowboys availability