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.
The Barry
Roar Guru
This is a great tournament and having one or two retired legends each year adds an extra bit of interest. It doesn't have to be cut throat win at all costs footy to be entertaining and fun. We get 26 rounds plus rep games of the serious stuff so this is a great way to start the season. Having said that you see some brilliant footy too. The Sharks v Rabbitohs final two years ago was as absorbing and intense a game as you could want to see.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The promoters took it on board, they bear all the risk Tripod.Promoters are not there to lose money if humanly possible. Teams receive $2,25m in prize money.The NRL(for doing little) I understand gets $1-1.5m pa as part of the deal. So it's absolute bollocks to suggest it has nothing to do with the NRL.That same money goes into the pot for development . Your last para needed a bit of clarification.Because any losses would have to be borne by the private company . In fact it is a promotion for the city of Auckland who have pumped in $9m over 5 years, promotion for an abridged version of rugby league .Just like American Football or EPL being played in Sydney.Wow the. promoters make money
steve
Guest
All we need is for King Wally and Sterlo to throw on the boots, to make the farce complete. Clubs wont even send their big names to the tournament. Its becoming more farcical by the year. If you're retired, stay retired. if you aren't a contracted player for an NRL club, then you shouldn't be suiting up at all.
Jimmmy
Guest
Loved watching Matty Rogers play the game. I'll be great to see him back.
tripod
Guest
They hold it NZ because the company who owns the 9's is a marketing company and its got nothing to do with league promotion or the NRL it just happened Eden Park were willing to host it for 10 years, i believe it could have just easy end up in Newcastle. This same company is also starting a Rugby 10's tournament in Brisbane in February with Super Rugby teams international club teams from Japan and France and National teams like Samoa I bet you they wont be wheeling out John Eales for the tournment So don't be fooled into thinking this is a great innovation for league as all profits for the weekend will be going to the shareholders of private company
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I hope he plays with son Jack
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
As long as a sponser is throwing more prizemoney than the NRL i am sure this will stay.. its a great party to open up the weekend.... Why are so many rugby league fans absolute negative nellies about innovation and changes?
BigJ
Roar Guru
Easy tripod I thinks it's a great idea, this tournament isn't serious, it's promotion for the game in the Nz to get another team. Why do you they hold it in Nz and not in oz ??? It's a great form of entertainment just like the indigneous v all stars games. The winner on the day is the game and it's fans
tripod
Guest
Is this a serious tournament that is being promoted as a possible form of the game looking for inclusion in the Commonwealth games or is it something similar to world championship wrestling or dancing with the stars. Sorry clubs do not take this weekend serious enough which will eventually threaten its long term viability and with every club loosing money last season you would think they would all be fairdinkum trying to pick up easy cash, rather than trot out yesterdays hero's or even game commentators like Brad Fittler a couple of years ago Matt Rodgers should be playing in a golf pro am somewhere not in a new season curtain raiser
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I dont think anyone would expect him to ve back in the NRL... so not really
Correct sometimes
Guest
Misleading headline
Phill L
Guest
Can't wait , its a good 2 days of fun in the sun , players look like there enjoying it only hope that all the "stars" do turn up play meet and greet the punters.