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‘There is nothing better’: Haunted Wallaby craves Matildas revenge
Two decades on and the Wallabies’ infamous extra-time loss to England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final still haunts Mat Rogers.
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The dual international has never watched a replay of the game, having no desire to relive Jonny Wilkinson’s painful drop goal with 28 seconds remaining in Australia’s 20-17 loss at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.
“I know what happened. Not a fond memory, unfortunately,” Rogers told AAP on Tuesday.
It’s little wonder, then, that Rogers would love nothing more than for the Matildas to gain a semblance of revenge for the Wallabies – and en entire nation – over the old enemy on Wednesday night.
The Matildas’ Women’s World Cup semi-final against the Lionesses is unquestionably the biggest sporting contest at the same venue between Australia and England since that fateful November night 20 years ago.
“They probably say they owe us from the Ashes that just happened. But there is nothing better than getting one over the Poms,” said Rogers, who still loses sleep over not playing his own opportunistic role in changing the course of sporting history.
The fullback was under captain’s orders from George Gregan to send the clearing kick to the sideline for a lineout, rather than allowing England to counter-attack.
But a crash tackle from England flanker Lewis Moody knocked Rogers off balance.
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“I was moving to my left and could only go to the left, which is fine being a left-footer, but it cut my angle down,” Rogers recalled.
“I wasn’t going to be able to get yardage. I remember thinking in that split second ‘should I just reef it straight down the middle of the field and back our defence?’.
“And I didn’t. I thought I’d just stick to the game plan.
“We still defended well off the back of the lineout but (halfback Matt) Dawson threw the dummy, went through the hole and it was all over.
“It was brutal. It still haunts me.”
With Rogers’ 15-year-old daughter Phoenix playing soccer for Gold Coast United in the National Premier League, with aspirations of one day herself being a Matilda, the former Cronulla, Gold Coast, Queensland State of Origin and Australia rugby league star is extra invested in the World Cup.
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“I’m not just on the bandwagon. I’m proper into it,” he said.
“We’ve met the players, gone to other games prior to World Cups, had photos with the girls.”
He’s a true believer, likening the patriotic fervour for the Matildas to that which the Wallabies enjoyed 20 years ago at their home World Cup.
“There are a lot of parallels,” Rogers said.
“We were sort of the underdogs too.
“We’d been pumped earlier in the season by the All Blacks but as the competition went on and we beat the All Blacks in the semi-finals, people were excited. The country just lit up.”
Rogers can see the irony if the Matildas beat England on penalties to advance to the final.
“Not the nicest way to win,” he said “But if you win that way, you’ll take it.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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