Born: November 14, 1939
Died: March 2021
Test record: 7 Tests (1961, 1964) – 10 goals (20 points)
Tours: 1960 World Cup, 1961 tour of Britain and France

Goalkicking centre/fullback Reg Cooke represented New Zealand in seven Tests during the first half of the 1960s.

Originally from the Huntly South club in the Waikato competition, Cooke was selected in the Kiwis’ 1960 World Cup squad. He was not chosen for the competition matches but played in three tour games against Halifax, French XIII and French Selection.

The following season, after moving to Auckland, he lined up in both Tests against Australia on home soil – kicking two goals in the 12-10 series-opening win and three goals in the 10-8 loss in the second clash. He also appeared for National Coaching School and Auckland against the tourists.

Cooke scored 66 points (4 tries, 28 goals) from 20 appearances on the 1961 tour of Britain and France, including two tries and two goals in a win over Warrington. He partnered Roger Bailey in the centres in all three Tests against Great Britain – kicking five goals in the 35-19 loss in the third encounter at Manchester – and the drawn first Test against France.

In 1962, Cooke turned out for New Zealand XIII against the visiting Lions, but Bailey, Graham Kennedy and Reese Griffiths were the preferred centres during the Test series. He made one last appearance for New Zealand – coming on as a replacement for injured fullback Jack Fagan during the third-Test win over France at Carlaw Park in 1964. Cooke had moved from Papakura to City-Newton that season and scored over 200 points.

Cooke moved across the Tasman in 1965, playing club football for Souths in Brisbane. In 1967, he toured New Zealand with the Queensland team, represented Brisbane and Queensland against the Kiwi tourists, and lined up for Queensland in all four interstate matches against NSW. He subsequently played for Queanbeyan Kangaroos in NSW before returning home to coach Northcote.