Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Mat Rogers, catching the toffs on the hop: A few home truths

By Martin Philip - posted Tuesday, 5 October 2004


Mat Rogers ruffled more than a few feathers in the upper echelons of “the game they play in heaven” with his entirely reasonable observations about the standard of club rugby union in Australia.

In a Sunday newspaper column, Rogers ventured to suggest that "club rugby in its present state is a waste of time".

For this unspeakable crime, a three man NSW Rugby Union panel fined Rogers an amount believed to run into several thousands of dollars, suspending part of the fine just in case he were ever tempted to repeat the comments.

Advertisement

An odd assortment of ex-players, mostly from the semi-professional era, also rounded on Rogers.

Greg Martin - the former Wallaby fullback whose meagre talents on the field bore no comparison to the pace, flare and skill of Rogers - churlishly told the league convert to “give us a yell when you've done something”. A thoughtful contribution, considering Roger’s scintillating form during last year’s World Cup, in which the Wallabies went agonisingly close to pinching the final from right under England’s nose.

Ever played in a World Cup final yourself, Greg?

Not to be outdone, former Wallaby prop Tony Daly insisted rugby union be given credit for its philanthropic transformation of Rogers from uncouth league lout to perfect rugger-gent. "Don't forget,” said the portly Daly, “he has come over from league with the long hair, earrings and tattoos and we've polished him up.”

Just in case Rogers - back from a six month stint on the sidelines, during which time he’d had a pin inserted in his ankle - had missed the point, former Wallaby captain Nick Farr-Jones gravely declared he was “disappointed” in him.

What gives with these dinosaurs?

Advertisement

Admittedly Rogers doesn’t have a hyphenated name, perfect elocution or a regular barber - but what he does have is phenomenal talent and a superb record of achievement in both codes - not to mention the capacity to contribute to future Australian rugby success in a way his trio of critics don’t.

Rugby union has made giant strides as a sport since Martin, Daly and Farr-Jones plied their trade. Professionalism has increased union’s profile and player standards, but there is always room for improvement, as leading coach John Connelly admits.

Connelly acknowledged the essential truth of Rogers’ comments, pointing out that the problem with club rugby is its “two nights a week” training culture.

Surely Rogers is well qualified to speak out against this lazy and complacent training culture, after all, he is used to the rigours of the infinitely more vigorous training regime that exists in rugby league.

Former union great Des Connor, the only player to have captained both the Wallabies and the All Blacks, admits Australian rugby hasn’t adjusted to the advent of professionalism as well as the dreaded Poms have. “They adapted to professionalism and structuring their rugby better than we have,” he says. “England have all these players coming through a graded system at club level.”

Club rugby in Australia has a laid back, leisurely atmosphere, where often the on-field proceedings are incidental to the chambray shirt and corduroy wearing spectators, some of whom invariably use the match programme to gently clap whenever a try is scored.

Compare this to the proceedings at a routine club game at Leicester’s Welland Road, where spectators invariably know they’re on the premises to see a serious rugby match.

Rogers’ critics know this all too well, which leads one to suspect he’s just got up their noses by telling the truth. Nor can he have endeared himself any further with suggestions that rugby league will continue to be a source of talent for union to plunder.

Sadly, a small but smarmy snobocracy thinks it can continue to act as the moral custodian of rugby union in Australia. Mat Rogers has caught the toffs on the hop, which can only be a good thing.

And it will be great to see Rogers let his performances do the talking in the Wallabies upcoming tour of France and the British Isles, even if his critics continue to carp from the sidelines.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Martin Philip is a postgraduate journalism student at the University of Queensland. He has worked and travelled extensively in Europe, Morocco & Turkey.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Martin Philip
Photo of Martin Philip
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy