Rogers officially signs with Titans

[Willow]

Mat Rogers coming home to NRL as a Titan
Written by: Titans Media
13/09/2006

Rugby League and Union dual international Mat Rogers has agreed to a 3 year deal with the Gold Coast Titans.

The former Cronulla Sharks and current Australian Wallabies star will finalise his contract with the Australian Rugby Union in 2007 before returning to the NRL and the Gold Coast Titans along with his family, model and TV presenter Chloe Maxwell and their son Max.

Gold Coast Titans Managing Director Michael Searle says the signing of Rogers is a massive coup, not only for the Gold Coast Titans, but for the NRL and the entire Gold Coast Community. “Having that star factor plays an enormous role, not only in attracting new sponsors but in generating huge excitement throughout the community.”

“Mat Rogers will be a huge drawcard for the Titans during our first season at Robina Stadium in 2008 and I look forward to his arrival.”

“This club is determined to compete on all levels be that commercial or on the playing field and Mat will provide international star attraction to our team and add another dimension to our backline.”

Equally as comfortable as an outside back or in the halves, Rogers has been signed as a running back for the Titans in 2008. “To his credit he could have secured a far greater financial contract by staying in rugby union but he firmly believes he has outstanding business in our game that he wants to resolve and we have no doubt that he will once again prove to be a potent strike weapon when he returns to the NRL.

“We look forward to welcoming Mat his partner Chloe Maxwell and their son Jack, Skyla and Max to the Gold Coast and our club in 2008.

This is another announcement that should excite our fans and the whole of the rugby league community as we work towards kick off in 2007. ”

“Having a rugby league and union dual international of Mat Rogers calibre playing in the National Rugby League again is a coup not only for the Gold Coast Titans but for the National Rugby League.”

While he won't see Mat until the 2008 season, Coach John Cartwright says securing the signature of a player like Mat Rogers will be a huge boost to the entire squad. “Mat is an exceptional talent and I am thrilled that we have continued to attract some of the sports biggest names north to the Titans. Wherever Mat slots into the backline in 2008, one thing is for sure, he will create more than a few head aches for his rivals and plenty of scoring opportunities for his team mates, it will be a pleasure to have him on board.”

NRL CEO David Gallop congratulated the Titans on their efforts assisting a great rugby league name to return to the National Rugby League. “The Titans have already shown they are out to make an impact in 2007 and the fact they are planning beyond that even now, underlines just how committed they are.”

“Certainly this is a signing that will make everyone sit up and take notice of the Gold Coast and it will be fantastic to see Mat resume his National Rugby League career in our Centenary year.”

Mat Rogers Fact File

Mat Rogers and his family have a long association with the Gold Coast.

Mat attended TSS, The Southport School and his late and legendary father, Steve Rogers played for the Southport Tigers where he won a Premiership in 1972. He was also Captain Coach at Nerang for a short period before moving to play with Cronulla in 1972.

Name Mat Rogers
Born February 1 1976
Place of Birth Sydney
School TSS, The Southport School, Gold Coast
Playing History Australian Schoolboy Rugby Union International.
Cronulla Sharks 1995-2001
5 Games Queensland State of Origin team
11 Tests Australian Kangaroos Rugby League Team
New South Wales Waratahs Super 14 side 2002
Australian Wallabies Rugby Union team, debut 2002 v France,
41 caps for the Wallabies, Points 158 (13t, 27c, 13p)
2008 Gold Coast Titans
http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.asp?ID=12113

 

[Willow]

Updated: Rogers signs with Titans
Written by: The League Guru
13/09/2006

Former Cronulla winger and dual International Mat Rogers has announced he will quit rugby union after next year's World Cup in France and return to rugby league.

Rogers has signed a two-year deal with the new Gold Coast Titans franchise once his current contract with the Wallabies expires at the end of next season.

"It's great opportunity to start afresh," Rogers said today,

"I spent my formative years on the Gold Coast and it was the best days of my life."

Rogers stressed his commitment to the Wallabies up to and including next year's World Cup campaign.

"I'm certainly looking forward to the next 12 months in rugby," he said.

"It would be good to finish with a bang and I can move on knowing that I have achieved everything. By no means do I feel I have achieved everything in rugby, there's still a lot to go."

Wallabies coach John Connolly said Rogers had discussed his plans with the ARU and his decision would not have any impact on his prospects of playing at the World Cup.

"Mat's done a great service for rugby, he's been a great team man," Connolly told a Sydney radio station.

"He'll be 32 at the end of the World Cup next year and whatever decision he makes, we'll support him."

Rogers was one of three high-profile rugby league players who defected to union ahead of the 2003 World Cup, where Australia finished runners-up to England. Rogers played 11 tests for Australia in rugby league and was a member of the Kangaroos team that won the 2000 World Cup before switching codes in 2002.

He has played 41 tests for the Wallabies at fullback, centre and fly-half, scoring 13 tries.
http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.asp?ID=12112

 

[DeeGan]

This is a great signing for the club. Matt Rogers, dual international, will make an impact again in the NRL competition even at the age of 32. I remember when Jason Smith and Matt Adamson came back from the UK where they were written off as has beens and both had great seasons. Jason Smith is still playing great footy today.

Rogers has been away from the game and despite the injuries, he has not played a whole of football if you compare it to the modern day league representative - look at Minichiello for example, his games played over the last five years along with Buderus shadows the possible games (that being, games Rogers could have played if not for injury) played by Rogers.

We will have a 32 y.o. who won't feel like the 32 y.o. man he is.

Will he play rep footy? No.

Rogers has made it known he has not intention of playing rep football for Queensland or Australia though if he is put on the spot in '08, I guess that can change.

Where will he play for the Titans? He won't be stuck on the wing I assure you. He left league as he was not given the chance to play off the wing, he ain't coming back to the game to sit on the wing. He will play one of either (or all at some stage); fullback, centre or five-eight. He may free up Preston to become an impact player from the bench.

GREAT NEWS!

 

[PARANoIR]

If you think Rogers will have the same effect on the Titans that Smith had on the Raiders you're on crack.

 

[DeeGan]

If you think Rogers will have the same effect on the Titans that Smith had on the Raiders you're on crack.

:lol: :lol:

And where do I allude to that in my post?

I have simply pointed out that players deemed too old in the past have come back to prove a lot of doubters wrong in rugby league. Prime recent examples being Jason Smith and Matt Adamson.

 

[Dakink]

If you think Rogers will have the same effect on the Titans that Smith had on the Raiders you're on crack.

:roll::roll:

No you must be right lets forget about him then...Not

I think Rogers will be a sensational asset. His experience is exactly what alot of the younger players and youth swaud players can feed off as they come through the ranks at the Titans.

 

[Redback71]

awesome isnt it to bad we have to wait til 2008

 

[NK Arsenal]

A chance for the Kangaroos WC team?

 

[DeeGan]

Rogers doesn't have plans to play representative football.

 

[Daneel]

im looking forward to seeing mat rogers back in the nrl, and he must be keen for a return as he has had his pay cut in half by leaving rugby.

 

[music_2000]

Steve Rogers would be proud