Dual international Mat Rogers has slammed World Cup-winning Australian skipper Nick Farr-Jones for opposing the expected appointment of Kiwi Robbie Deans as Wallabies coach, describing his criticism as “ridiculous”.
While Rogers had no preference for Wallabies coach, he gave Deans a glowing endorsement by saying the New Zealand mentor would have won the 2007 World Cup with his Super 14 team the Crusaders.
Deans, expected to become the Wallabies’ first overseas coach, was interviewed for the job in Brisbane on Tuesday night, more than a month after five original short-listed candidates went before the selection committee.
Some high profile former Wallabies such as Farr-Jones and Peter FitzSimons have criticised the idea of appointing a foreign Wallabies coach.
Farr-Jones said he would not be motivated by a Wallabies coach with a Kiwi accent before a Bledisloe Cup match.
“That’s ridiculous. Nick Farr-Jones played in an amateur era so this comes from an amateur,” Rogers told AAP.
“If he played in a professional era he would understand you do your job regardless of who is telling you.
“Players have too much pride in their performance to worry about that (nationality).
“If you need a coach to fire you up to play in a Bledisloe Cup match then you shouldn’t be even be there.”
Rogers returned to rugby league with NRL team the Gold Coast Titans in 2007 after a 45-Test, five-year stint in rugby.
He said a coach’s nationality meant nothing in professional rugby.
“I don’t think it is different to a Dutchman coaching the Socceroos, no one should,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone will care who is coaching if we won the World Cup.”
Rogers said he was amused by the former players’ criticism of Deans’ potential appointment.
“I find it hilarious when players from the past who may have tasted professional football for a year make statements about the professional game,” he said.
“They really have no insight into how the game is run now, they make comments from the outside and really don’t know what is going on.
“Ask George Gregan if he needs to be motivated by the coach into a Bledisloe Cup game and if he would care.
“He wouldn’t care, he is a professional. He’s going to go out and play his best – that’s the way it is.
“You want the best man for the job. If Robbie Deans is the best man for the job then so be it.”
Rogers said every candidate for the Wallabies job would do a good job, particularly Deans.
“I have no doubt they will go well under Robbie Deans,” he said.
“They (Crusaders) have proven to be the best side in the world for years – the Crusaders probably would have won the World Cup.”
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December 12th 2007 @ 10:37am
Nick said | December 12th 2007 @ 10:37am | Report comment
Is Rogers saying that he only played for the Wallabies because he was paid to.
I am not arguing against a Deans appointment, but Ragers trying to criticise Nick Farr Jones is like Ken Done having a go at Van Gough because he never made any money from painting.
Rogers made his choice, he went back to league. He should pull his head in.
December 12th 2007 @ 11:50am
Darryl said | December 12th 2007 @ 11:50am | Report comment
I think you should pull your head in Nick.
Rogers makes a great point of saying players don’t need additional motivation for a Bledisloe Cup match. Nick Farr Jones, Peter FitzSimmons and the rest of the boring no bodies should try supporting a positive change for Australian rugby.
I’m sick of rugby snobs giving Rogers a hard time because he came from League and went back there – so what? He’s articles are always well thought out from someone who who’s been there for both codes.
December 12th 2007 @ 5:02pm
Tarpo said | December 12th 2007 @ 5:02pm | Report comment
Not normall a Rogers fan as he has sprouted a lot of tripe over the years, but this is the smartest thing I have ever heard him say. I would think someone of Nick Farr-Jones immaculate rugby pedigree after giving these comments some deeper thought would have to concede “if you need someone to motivate you for a Bledisloe cup game, you should not be there.’
December 13th 2007 @ 1:54am
matty p said | December 13th 2007 @ 1:54am | Report comment
Never thought I would support Mat Rogers over Farrr Jones and Fitzy but… he’s spot on. If the wobblies need an Aussie accent to motivate them, they can always bring in Allen Jones for a pre-match rev-up. You don’t get paid a million bucks a year to coach the wobblies because of your accent, but because of your coaching credentials.
December 13th 2007 @ 11:29am
Nick said | December 13th 2007 @ 11:29am | Report comment
Darryl
I am a season ticket holder to the Waratahs and a fully paid member of the St George Leagues Club, your allegations of bias against league player are totally unfounded, in fact some of the players I have enjoyed watching most were Graham Changa Langlands, Michael O Connor, Nathan Blacklock and David Campese, I love both codes and support the movement of players between them.
Matt Rogers was a good fullback for the Waratahs who had an ego that made him want to be closer to the action. In rugby he had some great games, scored some terrific tries, but he always seemed to have some unfulfilled potential. He wasn’t in favour with John Connelly so he quit NSW and sulked back to league, and the Titans have done well with him there (when he is not injured, same old story). Here is a quote from Rogers after his return to league “I played it for five years and I still struggle to understand the rules.” (June 22 2007)
Nick Farr Jones was a very good half back and one of the best captains we (Australia) have ever had. When he make any comments on the subject of rugby I will listen and take note of what he says. He has been in a dressing room before a Bledisloe Cup, I have not. I would not doubt his experience on pre match motivation.
I am sick of the use of the “the professional vs the amateur” argument as a way of denigrating an opinion of a rugby player who finish his career before 1996. A current player has no more (or less) right to an opinion just because he is a professional. In fact as a former captain, and one with the reputation that NFJ has, is on the list of VIRP (very important rugby people), along with former players like Sir Nicholas Shehadie or John Eales. We should take note of these opinion, and take them seriously, regardless of whether they were amateurs or professionals.
I don’t have an issue with Dean selection and I don’t side with Farr Jones and Fitzsimons on this topic, but Rogers derision of NFJ and former Wallabies shows his ignorance. When he finds it “hilarious when players from the past who may have tasted professional football for a year make statements about the professional game” and calling NFJ’s comments “ridiculous” doesn’t sit well with me. It’s just tabloid journalism.
Rogers record against NZ is, won 2, lost 6. the 2 wins he was involved in were off the bench 2002 Tri Nations and 2003 WC Semi.
December 13th 2007 @ 2:39pm
Greg said | December 13th 2007 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
I appreciate Nick’s comments, but if an ex rugby player (NFJ) can’t handle another ex player calling one of his opinions ‘ridiculous’ than I’d wonder about his mental toughness. Rogers is allowed to have his say – we live in a democracy, thank goodness.
I entirely agree with Rogers. Farr-Jones seems a bit old-fashioned. It surely won’t take that long for RD to look part of the woodwork in Australian rugby. Given Deans’ competitive nature, I’ll bet he’ll be as determined as anyone can be for the Wallabies to do well. It will be HIS team, after all.
Greg
December 13th 2007 @ 9:57pm
matty p said | December 13th 2007 @ 9:57pm | Report comment
Nick, you are the exception that proves the rule I think. Most rugger buggers have a chip on their shoulder about mungos and vice versa. If you don’t think so, walk into any pub in non-AFL country and start a conversation on league v union, and see how many people sit on the fence.
December 14th 2007 @ 4:52am
Terry Kidd said | December 14th 2007 @ 4:52am | Report comment
Guys I have no chip, I have played both games for many years (damn, wish I got paid for it) but in this case I agree entirely with Matt Rogers and also believe that the coach is not the great motivator for matches. The coach sets a game plan and ‘sells’ it to his players. How well the team plays to the game plan is partly how much they have been ‘sold’ on the plan and believe in it. Being motivated for a Bledisloe? Gee, just being there and running out onto the pitch would do it for me.
How would Robbie Deans coach against the ABs? Would he give his best? I have no doubt that he would, if for no other reason than to stick it to the NZRU for not selecting him as AB coach.
December 14th 2007 @ 10:47am
stillmissit said | December 14th 2007 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Darryl, Terry Kidd etc
Sorry guys you seem to have the wrong end of this stick to my mind.
This bullshit that players don’t need motivation is quite right just look at how well the Wallabies went against the Pommies in the WC, Lote ‘the wink’ and the others so laid back you had to shout to wake them. Then off they went to prove that they don’t need motivation they are ‘professionals’.
To be professional you need to do things the average quality player doesn’t do. It’s not just because you are paid that you are professional. Professionals perform at a high level consistently in all avenues of their work. I guess in rugby that means not only doing it superbly on the field but off the field in training and corporate events and media contacts and all the rest of the stuff that goes with the high pay. We don’t have many professional players we just have highly paid players.
For Rogers to make this sort of comment is understandable and reasonable but why him? surely there are a heap of others who’s comments might make for more interest and insight. Everytime he opens his mouth the media prove to me that he knows nothing about rugby. In this I put : The rules, the ethos, natural respect and the dedication needed to play the game at the top level. In my book he lacked in all these areas. Good stepper but!
When he quotes Gregan to support his views he totally loses me. Gregan was missing in so many matches since 2001 yet always claimed he needed no motivation. I would have motivated him to find another career long before 2007. His greatest claim in professionalism was that he could stay out of the hard stuff and therefore extend his career without injury with a couple of strong tackles every 3 games.
Deans will coach Australia hopefully, and a lot of this arrogant sub standard ‘professionalism’ bullshit will go on his arrival.
December 14th 2007 @ 10:54am
stillmissit said | December 14th 2007 @ 10:54am | Report comment
BTW history is littered with Generals who thought their troups were better equiped and trained than the oppostion and didnt need motivating apart from promises of money and got there arses whipped by less well equiped troups with less training and often with less numbers, but a lot more motivation .
How do you get players on $500k (or a million)a year to put their lives on the line for a game? “Hard to fight tough when you are sleeping on silk sheets” who was the boxer who said that?