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Rogers signs with Titans
Foxsports
January 15, 2007
DUAL international Mat Rogers has agreed to terms with Gold Coast Titans for the 2007 National Rugby League season.
Rogers, 31, will join his new teammates a year earlier than initially expected after the former Wallaby quit rugby union last month, citing personal reasons.
Titans managing director Michael Searle said he had been more than happy to give Rogers as much time off with his family as he needed before meeting to discuss the utility's playing future at the club.
"The most important people in this whole process have always been Mat and his young family and we certainly weren't about to start hounding him for a decision on where he played next year when there were certainly much more important things for him to be thinking about," Searle said in a statement today.
"I am confident that as a club we will reap the rewards of having a refreshed and super enthusiastic Mat Rogers in our team." (So it took all of four weeks to get refreshed and super enthusiastic?!)
Rogers said he was eager to make a solid impression as the squad prepares for a series of pre-season trials, starting against Melbourne Storm on February 17 in Coffs Harbour.
"I'm just rapt to have everything sorted out and very much looking forward to getting in and doing the hard yards with the boys," he said.
"I'm pretty confident that (trainer) Billy Johnstone will have something special in store for me and I just want to roll the sleeves up and make sure I am right up there in the mix when the first team is announced in a few weeks.
"To be back in rugby league a year earlier than I expected is just huge."
It's welcome news for coach John Cartwright, who now boasts six internationals in his squad.
That includes Great Britain winger Brian Carney, who started training with the Titans today after experiencing visa problems in the United Kingdom.
Rogers will start training with the Titans tomorrow morning.
AAP