Speculation on Future of Rogers and Tuqiri

Former NRL stars, and significant converts from Rugby League to Rugby Union, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri, have reportedly been considering their futures in Super Rugby for some time. Both apparently disilliusioned with Rugby Union and are wishing to return to the game that was reportedly their first love. Undoubtedly the recent tour of the northern hemishpere, albeit a tour without any negatives according to the coach, will not have assisted in igniting their passions for playing in a Wallabies team that underperformed. At least on the expectations of fans in Australia.

Rogers in particular was scathing in press conferences when he returned from the tour to Australia recently. He criticised the lack of playing time that the new look backline, featuring his good self at first five eighth, got on tour and basically insisted that the combination needed more game time before it could be labelled a failed experiment. Unfortunately for Rogers, while he may be right on that point, this far out from Rugby World Cup 2007 is a bit too late to begin experimenting with a backline combination. This should have been done ages ago, and perhaps under Eddie Jones it would have. In the final analysis however, with a back player in that position of the calibre of Larkham, Robers has little chance of converting anyone to his point of view.

If this is the case then perhaps releasing Rogers prior to the World Cup would be a good move. It has been reported that there are rumours Rogers has been offered a contract to play with the Gold Coast Titans (whom he is joining in 2008 anyway) in 2007 and may be seeking a release from the Australian Rugby Union and The Warratahs (his Super 14 team) to enable him to make the change a season earlier. Everyone knows the damage that a player can do to a professional team when their heart is not in playing, and given the fact that Rogers has struggled to make the starting side the Wallabies might not end up missing him that much. Not enough to warrant the risk that he could cause further issues for the team now that he is leaving after the RWC in 2007 anyway.

Tuqiri is in a different position. He is in the starting side, whether he plays at centre or on the wing. Although from time to time he makes comments denigrating the game and the value that he places on it, most of these are rightly interpreted as claims being made to ensure that the bids made to secure him in either code are aimed at increasing his salary. After RWC 2007 Rugby Union is ulikely to have any further use for him, particularly if the RWC competition is given it rightful place amongst management as the most important goal for the Wallabies and the Australian Rugby Union. Lote, great players though he may be, will not be the best winger the Wallabies can field in 2011, or if he is the state of the game will be in complete disarray. Far better to bring in new players and get them ready for 2011 with plenty of time.

Tuqiri will be a key player in RWC 2007 for the Wallabies. His spear tackle on McCaw was one of the key moments in a tight struggle in Auckland during this year's Tri-Nations series. He took it to the opposition, regardless of the fact that it was illegal and made an impression. This is the stuff that the Wallabies need, as indeed does any team that wishes to best this All Blacks side. Tuqiri is a key player in terms of the physicality that the Wallabies want to take onto the field.

This sort of player loyalty speculation doesn't do the game of Rugby Union, or the Wallabies team, much good. At least as far as the game is concerned in Australia. In terms of mounting a challenge to RWC 2007 news of player dissatisfaction will be greeted by other national sides with a degree of cautiously optimistic joy. Anything to weaken the Wallabies is a good thing in terms of the challenges being made by other sides. Doubtless reports of shifting loyalties will spike some action from management, and direct contact with the players to sort out what is happening and their level of commitment next year. Rogers will probably feature more in this area than Tuqiri. Both, of course, will have to take pay cuts to switch from Union back to the NRL. These are interesting times for the Australian Rugby Union, perhaps they will consider building their own game more to develop talent among Rugby Union players, rather than plundering the resources of the NRL with massive monetary offers to attempt to buy loyalty to the game from players who don't consider it their first love.