Clash a shocker: Cotter
But he’s recovered in time to face Italy
KANGAROOS forward Reuben Cotter watched back footage of his sickening head clash with Fijian powerhouse Tui Kamikamica in the opening game of the World Cup. What he saw shocked him.
“It’s a bad one,” Cotter said. “I didn’t realise how bad it was. I am glad I ended up staying off because it was pretty bad. I tried to use some late feet to throw them off.
“Wrong place, wrong time. Tui came forward and I stepped into him. It was a bad way to go out but I will be right.
“Week off and I will get back into it. I remember everything that happened up until the head knock. We obviously won so that is good too.
“I am feeling good now and I didn’t really have many symptoms afterwards. So that was a positive sign.”
While Cotter was cursing his luck, there was no sympathy from home.
“My phone was blowing up when I came off the field,” Cotter said.
“Dad got into me. No sympathy from dad. They were pretty excited – they were up early to watch it. Everyone back home was excited.”
Cotter passed a cognitive test on Wednesday morning (AEDT) and will make his second appearance for the Kangaroos against Italy this weekend in Australia’s final pool game before the quarterfinals.
The game is a final chance for those on the periphery of the squad to force their way into coach Mal Meninga’s calculations heading into the knockout stage of the tournament.
Most interest will centre on the halfback duel between Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary – they opposed each other in a wrestling session at Manchester City’s Etihad campus.
However, several spots remain up the grabs heading into a game against Italy that should be nothing more than a formality for the Kangaroos.
Cotter is among a cluster of middle forwards looking to impress Meninga heading into the weekend. His Test debut only lasted 30 minutes but his plan is to make a big impression and leave Meninga with no choice but to retain him in the side – there is every chance he may play some hooker this weekend if Meninga opts to rest Harry Grant or Ben Hunt.
“Every match you pull on
an Australian jersey is important and I won’t be looking at it any different,” Cotter said.
“I am sure the boys that play won’t be either.”