Matt Cooper has become one of rugby league's success stories on and off the field.

The Dragons centre made his first grade debut in 2000 but, at one point, contemplated retirement as his wrestled with injury and motivation.

St George Illawarra fans are glad he elected to plow on. He emerged in 2003, finishing the season as a Country Origin representative and, arguably, the club’s No.1 centre.

In 2004 he continued to torment opposition centres, making another Country Origin appearance and pressing for NSW honours.

He got his chance in Origin III and made the most of it as the Blues clinched the series with a victory at Telstra Stadium.

Cooper then went one step further, selected in the Australian squad for the Kangaroos tour at the end of the season, making his Test debut against France in Toulouse.

Cooper was back in the NSW and Australian sides in 2005 and in 2006. He's also making an impact off the field, with his smouldering good looks making him one of the game's most marketable stars.

Cooper was recently named as one of Australia’s hottest 100 Men by New Woman magazine he is also a former winner of ‘The Sexiest Man in League - in 2000 - when he defeated fellow league glamour boys including Craig Wing and Luke Ricketson.

Cooper, also a favourite among the fashion set, has appeared in fashion spreads for GQ, Cleo, Cosmopolitan magazine and most recently, ALPHA.

Outside his football commitments, Matt has been named as an ambassador Xbox as well as the Wollongong/South Coast region.

His role will be to assist Wollongong City Council revitalise their national marketing campaign and ensure the tourism economy of the area remains strong.