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EXCLUSIVE: Former NRL and Wallabies star Mat Rogers reveals his concerns about brain damage after the tragic death of teammate Paul Green, and explains why Eddie Jones can help Australia return to the top in rugby union.
- International stuntman Mat Rogers has his own CTE fears after Paul Green’s death
- You want to see players tested while they’re still working, rather than late in life or death.
- He also believes Eddie Jones can make the Wallabies a force in world rugby once again.
- Rogers is an ambassador for Allianz and promotes fun backyard sports at Christmas.
Former NRL and Wallabies star Mat Rogers has opened up about his own concerns about brain damage stemming from his playing days following the tragic death of close teammate Paul Green.
The 46-year-old Rogers also called Eddie Jones ‘one of the greatest managers of all time’, and has no doubt he can help Dave Rennie as the Wallabies look to once again be a dominant force in world rugby union. .
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about his new partnership with Allianz, where the cross-code star offered some helpful tips for keeping the sport fun in the backyard this summer, Rogers opened up about Green’s sad passing back in August.
He was only 49 years old.
“I saw Greeny a couple of days before he died (at a Cronulla Sharks Old Boys function in Sydney) and there was no sign,” Rogers said.
“Hearing that he was struggling with severe CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in his brain was just tragic, it’s still hard to understand.”
Former NRL and Wallabies star Mat Rogers has opened up about his own concerns about brain damage stemming from his playing days following the death of teammate Paul Green.
Rogers defected to rugby in 2002 and soon made his mark with the Wallabies (pictured playing against the All Blacks)
Rogers would like to see the technology progress to the point where players can be tested for CTE when they retire and start life after football, rather than the current situation where the disease just it can be detected after the victim has died.
Being potentially diagnosed with CTE as he approaches 50 terrifies Rogers, who in recent years has appeared on Dancing With the Stars and Australian Survivor.
“I think about it, once you lose close friends, it makes you think,” he said.
‘I’m lucky to have a lot of good people around me who always communicate.’
Rogers, a cross-code star after defecting to rugby in 2002, also believes the Wallabies should have Eddie Jones on their coaching staff ahead of the World Cup in France next year.
Jones is rumored to be considering joining Dave Rennie, and is a free agent after being sacked by England this week.
Scans revealed that former Cowboys coach Paul Green had significant brain trauma from his playing days. He was just 49 years old when he took his own life in August.
Rogers also believes Eddie Jones is a must for the Wallabies’ coaching staff ahead of the World Cup in France next year.
“To me, Eddie is one of the greatest rugby managers of all time,” Rogers said.
‘His record speaks volumes and he would be a great addition to the (Wallabies) system.
“For Dave, drawing on Eddie’s experience would be a huge advantage.”
Rogers, who made his NRL debut with Cronulla in 1995 before retiring in 2011 with the Gold Coast Titans, had some helpful advice before Australian families get together for Christmas.
“Of course, have fun playing cricket or football,” said the Allianz ambassador.
“But it should always be fun, no matter how competitive you or your family members are.
‘Growing up, I was full in the Rogers house, I didn’t like losing, and neither did my father (Steve).
‘He was the king of the yard, victories were rare, but it was always a good laugh.’