Mark Cooksley
| Date of birth | 11 April 1971 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) | ||
| Weight | 125 kg (19 st 10 lb) | ||
| School | Manurewa High School | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Lock | ||
| New Zealand No. | 916 | ||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1990–1993 1994–2001 |
Counties Manukau Waikato |
36 75 |
|
| Super Rugby | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1996, 1998, 2000–2001 1997 |
Chiefs Hurricanes |
||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1992– 1992–1995, 1997, 2001 |
NZ Māori New Zealand |
11 |
(0) |
Mark Stephen "Cowboy" Bill Cooksley (born 11 April 1971 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby union player and All Black lock
Cooksley holds the distinction of being the tallest All Black ever at an imposing 2.05 metres and 125 kg. He had a long All Black career, spanning from 1992 until 2001. Despite this, Cooksley only played in 23 All Black matches, and only 11 All Black tests.Robin Brooke and Ian Jones were often the favoured locking pair during his time because of the average but better skill level.
In 1995, Cooksley gained another distinction when he was a replacement on the end of year tour of France; in his one appearance on tour he became the first All Black to be shown a yellow card, with Irish referee Gordon Black apparently unaware that the red and yellow card system did not then apply to international rugby.
He now resides as a Cowboy in Hamilton
A touch of Māori blood saw him regularly play for New Zealand Māori from 1992 onwards.