This biography is from “Kangaroos: An Anthology of Australian Rugby League Players”. You can buy the book here

RON COOTE

South Sydney junior lock forward Ron Coote spent his early years in the Australian side as a second row due to the presence of John Raper. His record at club level, where he played in nine Grand Finals, ensures he remains in the upper echelon of players in the history of the game. Born in Kingsford in Sydney in 1944, Coote was the son of former Easts lock Jack Coote who played in the champion sides of the 1930s. Coote made his first grade 126 debut for Souths in 1964, and the following year played in the Grand Final loss to St George in front of a record Sydney Cricket Ground crowd. In 1967 Coote played in Souths’ Grand Final win over Canterbury and was later named in the Australian squad for the Kangaroo Tour. Coote made his test debut in the second test against Great Britain, and played in five tests on the tour. Coote played in another premiership winning side with Souths in 1968, and also played for Australia in their World Cup campaign. He toured New Zealand in 1969 and played in all three home Ashes tests in 1970. In 1970 Coote was named captain of Australia for their World Cup final against Great Britain after an injury to regular skipper Graeme Langlands. Australia won the tournament, but Coote sat out the early part of the 1971 season after a contractual dispute. Coote returned to tour New Zealand in 1971 and play in Souths’ Grand Final win over St George; but after playing more than 140 first grade games for the Rabbitohs, Coote left at the end of the season to join Easts. After missing most of 1972 with injury, Coote returned to captain Easts in their Grand Final loss to Manly. In 1974 he lost the club captaincy to Arthur Beetson, but returned to the national side for home tests against 127 Great Britain. Coote played in the Roosters’ 1974 Grand Final win over Canterbury as well as the club’s record 38-0 Grand Final win over St George in 1975. He played his last matches for Australia during that year’s World Series competition. Coote continued to play for Easts until his retirement in 1978. He played more than 100 first grade games for the club. In retirement Coote became a successful franchise owner of a number of McDonalds stores. In 2008 Coote was named in Australia’s team of the century. He has spent several years as the head of the Men of League foundation which provides assistance to former players and officials at all levels of the game.