On this week’s episode of BTR we chat to Wests Tigers Player #287 Reuben Porter, who made his NRL debut this season at the age of 27.
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After eight seasons in the NSW Cup, Reuben had almost given up on his dream to play NRL, before a call from Benji changed all that.
This is a story about perseverance and patience, about belief and self-doubt, about a guy who put ambition on the backburner only to fall back in love with the game.
After uprooting and moving from New Zealand to Sydney as a 17-year-old, it didn’t quite go according to plan for Reuben.
Recruited by the Roosters, and then the Raiders, he found himself stuck behind some very good players. Then a snapped Achilles, then a thing called Covid, and then a rethink about how he would pay the bills.
He talks about rediscovering his love of footy when playing with his mates at North Sydney last year, and about the biggest challenges he’s faced in stepping up from NSW Cup to NRL.
Reuben explains how important ‘attention to detail’ is at NRL level, and the ‘domino effect’ on your team if you happen to ‘miss your assignment’.
He talks about the pride he felt when making his long-awaited NRL debut, and offers great advice to others who, like him, may think their big opportunity has passed them by.
Reuben also details what it means to him and his family to represent the Cook Islands, saying he’d love to again play in the Pacific Championships at the end of the season.
Away from footy, we chat about the perfect steak, the LA Clippers, and a whole lot more.
