Former Shark, Titan and Wallaby Mat Rogers looks set to be making a comeback for the Sharks in 2017 at the Auckland Nines.
Rugby League Week is reporting Rogers will lace up his boots again in the pre-season tournament.
The former Cronulla ballboy played 123 games for the Sharks before switching to rugby union where he played for the Waratahs while also representing Australia with the Wallabies.
Rogers switched back to league in 2007 with the Gold Coast Titans where he played 77 games until retiring in 2010. He came out of retirement to help out the struggling club in 2011, but retired again after being injured after just one game back.
Rogers has kept fit in his retirement, taking part in a number of Iron Man events. He will be a welcome reinforcement for the club who are likely to be stretched before their title defence begins.
The Sharks face a packed pre-season schedule, travelling to England to compete in the World Club Series while plenty of Sharks are expected to take part in the NRL Indigenous All Stars game.
The Auckland Nines has seen plenty of big name returns in its short history, with league legends like Steve Menzies, Jason Croker, Braith Anasta and Brad Fittler coming out of retirement for the tournament.
Former Cowboy, Tiger, Bronco and Titan Scott Prince is also rumoured to be coming out of retirement for the tournament, suiting up for the Brisbane Broncos.
Despite nines rugby league being a wholly different game to the regular 13-a-side rugby league, the Auckland Nines has been a predictor of success in recent years. 2014 grand finalists North Queensland and Brisbane competed in the 2015 NRL grand final, while 2015 grand finalists South Sydney and Cronulla won the 2014 and 2016 grand finals respectively.
2016 Auckland Nines title winners Parramatta had their win stripped due to salary cap cheating. The 2017 Auckland Nines is set to take place on the fourth and fifth of February 2017.
Rogers’ son Jack signed for the Sharks in 2015, keeping three generations at the club after Mat’s father Steve Rogers played 200 games for the club in the 1970s and 80s.
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