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No approach from Rogers on future: ARU
Friday Dec 1 05:58 AEDT
The Australian Rugby Union will rush to clarify Mat Rogers' future with the code after a report claimed the Wallabies star wanted to quit rugby and return to league.
A Nine Network report said Rogers - who has already agreed to return to the NRL in 2008 with the Gold Coast - was so sick of rugby he was willing to miss next year's World Cup and end his ARU contract a year early.
Rogers was not quoted in the story.
A surprised ARU chief executive Gary Flowers said the report was "news to us", but added the ARU would immediately seek to clarify Rogers' position.
"As far as we're concerned Mat has always expressed he's keen to be part of the World Cup program in 2007," said Flowers.
"I've spoken to (Wallabies coach) John Connolly, and the last conversation John had with Mat was that he was keen to be part of the program for 2007.
"That's my understanding, that Mat wanted to finish his career in rugby on a high note.
"But it's certainly important for us to clarify the position ... and I'm sure our people will clarify with Mat where he stands on this issue."
Flowers did not want to be drawn on whether the ARU would consider releasing Rogers early from his contract a year out from the World Cup.
"That's a hypothetical ... he's under contract and under contract with the ARU and NSW Rugby Union."
Titans managing director Michael Searle was also unaware of any desire Rogers may have had for joining the club a year early.
"It's the first I've heard of it ... but naturally we'd look at it if it came up," Searle said of Rogers, who has signed a three-year deal with the Titans from 2008.
Rogers was not quoted in the Nine report, but earlier this week expressed disappointment he was not given more chances to play five-eighth during the Wallabies' European tour.
The dual international played two of Australia's four games at No.10 during the tour - against Wales and Italy.
"I would have liked to have played in one position for the entire tour but it wasn't the case. It's a team game though, so you've got to try and find the right mix, that's what the coaches are trying to do," Rogers said after returning form the tour on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Storm NRL chief executive Brian Waldron increased the speculation that Rogers was bound for the Gold Coast a year early when queried about the club's tug-of-war with the Titans over Steve Turner.
Waldron hinted the lengthy negotiations over Turner's future could be aided if Rogers leaves rugby and joins the Titans in 2007.
"I met Michael today. We are talking about matters and like everyone we hope we can get it resolved quickly," he told AAP.
"But I think with Mat Rogers going to the Gold Coast it will change things.
"We just agreed it would be best for Steve to stay in Melbourne but how it all works out is something that will be worked out in the fullness of time."
Waldron expected Gold Coast's interest in Turner - a Melbourne winger lured to become the Titans' fullback - to abate with the arrival of Rogers.
"I certainly have got some compassion for the Titans, that they thought he (Turner) was going there and he isn't now," he said.
"Hopefully any disappointment they've had through that can be offset by the fact that they will end up with Mat Rogers and looks like (former Queensland Origin winger) Chris Walker is there.
"If they end up with Mat Rogers at fullback, they would be thrilled to have him there where they initially wanted Steve to play."
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=87011
Just go. Don't let us stop you Mat. Please.
I'm so sick of his whinging... oh I should have played more fly half... maybe you would have if you weren't so sh*t AT IT!!!! All he did was make bad decision after bad decision, costing the Wallabies momentum and attacking opportunities. He's done it ALL year.
Walk away Mat. Walk away.
Friday Dec 1 05:58 AEDT
The Australian Rugby Union will rush to clarify Mat Rogers' future with the code after a report claimed the Wallabies star wanted to quit rugby and return to league.
A Nine Network report said Rogers - who has already agreed to return to the NRL in 2008 with the Gold Coast - was so sick of rugby he was willing to miss next year's World Cup and end his ARU contract a year early.
Rogers was not quoted in the story.
A surprised ARU chief executive Gary Flowers said the report was "news to us", but added the ARU would immediately seek to clarify Rogers' position.
"As far as we're concerned Mat has always expressed he's keen to be part of the World Cup program in 2007," said Flowers.
"I've spoken to (Wallabies coach) John Connolly, and the last conversation John had with Mat was that he was keen to be part of the program for 2007.
"That's my understanding, that Mat wanted to finish his career in rugby on a high note.
"But it's certainly important for us to clarify the position ... and I'm sure our people will clarify with Mat where he stands on this issue."
Flowers did not want to be drawn on whether the ARU would consider releasing Rogers early from his contract a year out from the World Cup.
"That's a hypothetical ... he's under contract and under contract with the ARU and NSW Rugby Union."
Titans managing director Michael Searle was also unaware of any desire Rogers may have had for joining the club a year early.
"It's the first I've heard of it ... but naturally we'd look at it if it came up," Searle said of Rogers, who has signed a three-year deal with the Titans from 2008.
Rogers was not quoted in the Nine report, but earlier this week expressed disappointment he was not given more chances to play five-eighth during the Wallabies' European tour.
The dual international played two of Australia's four games at No.10 during the tour - against Wales and Italy.
"I would have liked to have played in one position for the entire tour but it wasn't the case. It's a team game though, so you've got to try and find the right mix, that's what the coaches are trying to do," Rogers said after returning form the tour on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Storm NRL chief executive Brian Waldron increased the speculation that Rogers was bound for the Gold Coast a year early when queried about the club's tug-of-war with the Titans over Steve Turner.
Waldron hinted the lengthy negotiations over Turner's future could be aided if Rogers leaves rugby and joins the Titans in 2007.
"I met Michael today. We are talking about matters and like everyone we hope we can get it resolved quickly," he told AAP.
"But I think with Mat Rogers going to the Gold Coast it will change things.
"We just agreed it would be best for Steve to stay in Melbourne but how it all works out is something that will be worked out in the fullness of time."
Waldron expected Gold Coast's interest in Turner - a Melbourne winger lured to become the Titans' fullback - to abate with the arrival of Rogers.
"I certainly have got some compassion for the Titans, that they thought he (Turner) was going there and he isn't now," he said.
"Hopefully any disappointment they've had through that can be offset by the fact that they will end up with Mat Rogers and looks like (former Queensland Origin winger) Chris Walker is there.
"If they end up with Mat Rogers at fullback, they would be thrilled to have him there where they initially wanted Steve to play."
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=87011
Just go. Don't let us stop you Mat. Please.
I'm so sick of his whinging... oh I should have played more fly half... maybe you would have if you weren't so sh*t AT IT!!!! All he did was make bad decision after bad decision, costing the Wallabies momentum and attacking opportunities. He's done it ALL year.
Walk away Mat. Walk away.
