Rogers Released, Tuqiri Targetted by Queensland

It's official, the long awaited, but never in doubt, anouncement came today that Matt Rogers will be release to play for the Gold Coast Titans in next year's National Rugby Leage competition. Citing personal reasons for the move, Rogers appears to be glad that all the fuss is over, and now he can simply get on with training back in his old game, with a new team. Goodbye and good luck Matt, no doubt we will be hearing more of you in the future, but not in the green and gold Wallaby jersey ever again. It is doubtful that Rogers would secure a place in the victorious Kangaroos national rugby league side, but you can't rule things like that out.

Today's main story was broken by Channel 9 news tonight, reporting that the Queensland Reds are having a crack at securing the services of Lote Tuqiri next season. If he heads back across the border he will of course be playing under his old Wallaby coach Eddie Jones of course. Apparently there is talk of Tuqiri being offered $1 million Austrailian dollars per season to remain in Rugby Union. That is some serious money, even by world standards and they seem to think that he is worth it. I tend to think that he may have been worth it, but I no longer think that he cuts the same dash that he used to, now he seems to easily tipped over into agressive unthinking play that earns him stints in the sin bin, and being told off by the Prime Minsiter of New Zealand (although I doubt that troubled him much - especially not when he gets paid a whole lot more than she does!).

The Wallaibes have anounced their training squad for the World Cup and there are a few players that have missed out. Among them is the luckless Scott Fava who tries hard, gets knocked into the middle of next year during the 7s tournament in Wellington last year, but continues to fail to crack it at the international level. Back to Perth and John Mitchell for you mate. Also missing out (of note) are Gene Fairbanks, Tai McIssac and Al Baxter. Knuckles was keen to point out that this is only a provisional squad, and that every player in Super 14 is in the frame. Knuckles, knuckles, knuckles...that is good talk my man, but if you can't name your squad for the World Cup now with any degree of certainty, I see troulbe coming down the line mate. Surely to goodness a little certainty wouldn't go astray right now. Sure, you might have to make one or two changes due to injury, but that should be about it. Watch out Wallabies fans, tough times are ahead...but there is one thing we know about Aussie sides, they always rally for the World Cup and put their best in everytime. This year will be no different, but you'd be a brave person to suggest they will win it.