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SYDNEY - The latest twist in the Mat Rogers saga will play out in the next week as the troubled dual Australian international decides between a sudden return to league or a final shot at the rugby World Cup.
Waratahs Super 14 coach Ewen McKenzie said he'd given Rogers until next Tuesday to confirm his future amid reports he was considering an immediate return to league after an unhappy Wallabies tour of Europe.
Rogers, 30, has already signed for the new Gold Coast Titans for the 2008 National Rugby League season.
It seems dissatisfaction at his treatment by Wallabies coach John Connolly, who axed him after an unconvincing performance against Italy, has caused a rethink.
Connolly said last weekend he saw Rogers as a backup to Stephen Larkham at No 10 and a potential second five-eighth.
Rogers said last week he was unhappy at not playing more in the No 10 jersey, and speculation was rife in the past week that he had asked for a release from his Australian Rugby Union (ARU) contract a year early.
Rogers was seen leaving NSW headquarters at Aussie Stadium on Monday but wasn't commenting after a meeting with McKenzie.
The former Wallabies prop and respected Waratahs coach was more forthcoming about the star utility who commands one of rugby's premium salaries.
"I felt over the years that I've been very open, forthright and helpful over some of the issues he's had, so I guess that was why I resented the lack of communication and I made that quite clear," McKenzie said. "He was very apologetic. We had a very good, candid discussion.
"I think that was more reflective of the relationship we've had."
McKenzie said the pair agreed they would talk again next Tuesday about Rogers' immediate future.
"I'm pretty confident at this stage he's going to be with the Waratahs next year, he's got a contract and he's going to be with us [the Wallabies]," McKenzie said.
Rogers met the ARU's high-performance manager Pat Wilson last week and also held discussions with Connolly.
Asked if Rogers had sought a release from the contract, an ARU spokesperson said "we have spoken to him and discussed his contract and his contractual obligations with him, so he's fully aware of what they are".
Other Wallabies players Mark Gerrard and Lote Tuqiri have expressed interest in returning to league after next year's World Cup.
- NZPA
