I never thought I’d end up making a career out of playing rugby.
Rugby was a big part of my schoolboy days but I’d always thought that, after finishing school, I’d go home to the farm and work with my parents.
While I was looking to get a bit of experience elsewhere (so I didn’t always work for my dad!), I thought I’d just be a country boy for the rest of my life.
Then, in the final year of school, I was approached by Queensland to go into the academy there.
I rang my parents up and said what had happened and that I’d like to give it a go.
They laid out what the possible regime would look like. It was always going to be tough and, a bit like an actor or artist, you’re gonna get paid nothing at the start.
It sure was daunting.
Making the decision to focus on rugby definitely felt like a huge risk, but the potential reward was pretty big too.
Across all those years with Queensland, the Wallabies and now the Waratahs, I’ve loved it. Still do.
I’m still lapping up every moment. Getting out of bed every morning, getting to do an enjoyable job – that’s part of the reason I made the decision. I can wake up with a smile on my face every day.
At the end of last year, I found myself almost having to make that first decision all over again.
(Photo by Jason O’Brien/Getty Images)
Coming to terms with the fact I wouldn’t be playing for the Reds was very, very tough.
I knew I’d be going well outside my comfort zone and basically starting all over again.
It took a while but, thanks to the strong people in my life, we talked it out and the result was lots of excitement about what lay ahead.
The idea of moving to the New South Wales Waratahs was very tough to get my head around, though.
If someone had told me five or six years ago that I’d be lining up for the Tahs, I’d have told them they were nuts. I hadn’t even contemplated it until the week it happened.
The potential to just go overseas, get a good payday, and play out the rest of my career somewhere else entirely was certainly there. But I had a feeling inside me that I still had more to give to Australian rugby and I didn’t want to leave yet.
I might not have been playing my best but I knew I could get back there. It wasn’t a case of being worn out, and the burning aspiration to play for my country hasn’t gone anywhere either.
Still, getting my head around whether I could actually play somewhere other than Queensland was tricky.
I went to my meeting with the Tahs to see what they were thinking, how they were going about their program. Walking out of that meeting, my decision was made. I was really happy with where the club was heading and the way they saw me.
One thing I’ve really loved about the Waratahs is the new home crowd. They’re really good, really passionate. It’s no secret that they’ve been through some tough years, especially in 2017, yet they’re still very supportive – and you feel that out on the field.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Looking forward to this week, we’ve got a big game against the Sunwolves on Saturday.
They may have only won three games, but they’re getting better and better each round. They’ve started being able to match it with the physical sides and are only getting beaten in the last 20 minutes or so.
As we all saw last week, they had a nice win against the Bulls.
They play a nice brand of open, attacking rugby and, truth be told, it’s fun playing that style of rugby too. We just have to make sure we stick to our own gameplan and don’t get caught up trying to match it with them too much.
They’re fresh off a win, so we’re going to have to be playing our best football to walk away with the points. But we’re coming off a good win against the Rebels, one where we didn’t play our best rugby – there wasn’t a lot of possession and field position early on – but were still able to get a great result thanks to our perseverance and sticking to our roles.
So for this weekend, come out to the game, enjoy it, and make some noise as well. It will definitely be an entertaining match.
The Waratahs will go up against the Sunwolves this weekend with a chance to cement their place atop the Australian Conference. Be sure to grab a NSW Waratahs home ticket and get down to Allianz Stadium to enjoy all the action.
QED
Guest
Rob. I am the first to admit I am one those 'key board warriors' who has not been one of your biggest fans. However thank you for a good honest article giving us 'jersey 24' supporters a personal insight into both the challenges and joys of playing professional rugby and the honor and privilege to represent your state and country. Go well
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Fair point about competition for seven, but I still think the comparison between the two players in terms of their drive for representative glory in their own state and country as opposed to seeing rugby as a job, could partially explain the different career trajectories of each player.
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
Rob you are a great servant to Australian , Qld and now NSW rugby. You have had your share of knockers over the years but you have never let it get to you and have grown as a rugby player over the years and we cannot ask for more than that. Good luck with the future and you will get back to the farm one day if you want to.
Mzilikazi
Guest
All, pformagg .....only those who have "downed" the guy....many of us have always seen Rob's good points.
Peter Kelly
Guest
I have no problem with QC honoring his contract or any other player, good on him for being the highest paid club player in Brisbane, was not even really having a dig but whatever you think is fine - I would think though that he could possibly be the only player I have heard of that should be playing at Super level that has not done all they could including taking a pay cut to get higher honors. As I Kiwi I fully appreciate him being where he is and leaving Foley as the option for 10 in Wallabies, I think he may have gone alright behind current Reds and Wallabies pack and certainly would of helped in last quarter against Irish.
Noodles
Guest
Oh! He wasn't cut? He just didn't get a contract! Your undies are too tight TWAS.
jameswm
Roar Guru
No rugby articles on a Friday? Odd. There's an Aussie game tonight!, Reds v Rebels
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
What is funny is all the keyboard warriors who normally bay for Rob's blood when he is selected, are now fawning over him because he wrote an article.
Gepetto
Guest
Simmons is great but Kane Douglas is one of the experienced guys carrying the Reds these days, while Carozza stuffs up the backline.
Reality Check
Guest
True Noodles, Cheika foisted the inferior Kane Douglas on us. Can we swap him for Rob in season 2019 ?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Phil he was actually having a dig at the Tahs, not me. Fair enough TWAS. If I was Beau I'd be giving it back to Simmo too - with a wink... And I certainly agree Simmo has been a good buy for the Tahs. I'm guessing Qld would have preferred to keep Simmo, but they were stuck with Douglas having another year to run n his contract. They didn't realise Rodda nd Tui would come through like they did I guess.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think that's a stretch but I'm sure he'll get at least halfway there.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Absolutely. Wish the Reds had been able to get him and not be stuck with Douglas instead. Douglas seemed like a great pick up at the time but then had injury (not his fault) and form struggles. The fact is he was never has gone as he was talked up to be in 2015.
JP
Guest
Rob will have 200 tests when his career is finished.
Phil
Guest
Don't worry,TWAS,even I could tell you where only having a friendly dig at him.Some people take things way too seriously. Rob has been a great buy for the Tahs,though.
Tuc Du Nard
Guest
It's so great to hear from a player, let alone a Wallaby. Can we have more please fellas? Also I think it was such a smart, dedicated move you made, Rob. As Harry said, your humbleness is what stands out, so go well.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
I would like Rob to run more he has some pace and would be my number six .
jameswm
Roar Guru
Big time. He's the only quality lock we have. Some of the young guys are coming through, and Holloway is really a backrower playing lock (but coming back to good form). I'd like to have seen Simmo partnered with Skelton. Big physicality with one, set piece skill with the other. Dempsey, Holloway or Hanigan in the back row - all good jumpers to cover for Skelton being really a 3rd option.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's not a big deal. It's a subtle dig about him grilling Beau Robinson on not pledging to only play for the Reds. Beau having been through the harsh realities at the time was more pragmatic.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Settle petal. It was a lighthearted dig RE this story: "At this stage, we were probably well and truly into the rum and diet cokes, and big Rob Simmons had a crack at me after I wouldn’t pledge loyalty solely to the Reds. Big Simmo is a diehard Queenslander, as so many are when they’re born and bred north of the Tweed."