Sydney – Australian dual rugby international Mat Rogers said on Monday he will retire at the end of the National Rugby League season after a 16-year playing career.
Sport24
Rogers, 34, played 11 rugby league Tests for Australia and was a major part of the Kangaroos’ World Cup-winning team in 2000 before switching codes in 2002.
He played 45 rugby union internationals for the Wallabies, including the 2003 World Cup where Australia lost to England in the Sydney final.
Rogers returned to rugby league in 2007 where he has played for NRL club Gold Coast Titans for the past four seasons.
Rogers, who made his first grade debut for the Cronulla Sharks in 1995, said he was comfortable with his decision to end his professional footballing career after 194 NRL games and 85 fixtures in rugby union for the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
“I’m excited about the next stage in my life,” Rogers told a press conference to announce his retirement.
“It’s not that I have doubts whether I can compete any more at the highest level, I just think that now is the right time to retire.
“It’s been great since returning to rugby league here at the Titans and I’m looking forward to staying involved at the club in a new off-field sponsorship role.”