Rocky

anonymous_joe

Joe the Santa wrote: »

agreed Ollie is a Leinster Legend mainly for the fact that his named fitted into all the chants so easily. That and for someone who was in his final season still gave it his all throughout the whole season and helped bring on some on the forwards rather then just taking the money and running. Also for the fact that he let himself be called up this season any time we were desperate (even if he shouldn't have been let near a pitch in that state he still did).

However do I think Rocky has the same status as Ollie as a Leinster Legend. No, cause although I think Rocky is a better player I don't think Leinster is his number one priority in it all

And that game where Ollie scored the two tries!

I also loved his cameos this season. Love the idea of a coach and the whole 'I'll show these young whippersnappers how a South African prop does things' thing.

As for Rocky, he's enjoyed his time here, given us huge work rate and so on. He might not love Leinster as much as we do, but he's been unreal.

danthefan

As far as I'm concerned Rocky is getting very close to the Leinster "legendary" status. His committment is just ****ing unreal, gives it absolutely everything in every game, and he genuinely seems to be enjoying his time with the team and in Dublin in general.

Phrio

My legend comment seems to have brought on a bit of discussion so think I will explain why I think he is..

I watch a lot of international and super 14 and any rugby I can find streamed or whatever so knew a lot about Rocky before he arrived to our fair shores. I was over the moon when he choose Leinster as I honestly thought he could be the difference for us between also rans in the HC and the Champions!! I then after his first couple of games openly said this to a few munster friends and it became a big thing between a lot of my non Leinster mates (big joke mostly till a couple of weeks ago) that I hope he will prove on the 23rd of May.

Now I am not saying this is solely down to him but you know the way POC tackle on Chabal set up that game from the word go.. see Rocky first hit versus Munster and try saver versus dowling... he sets a tone. He is a natural leader by example and puts everything into a Leinster shirt (for what reason you believe doesnt matter as much as the fact that he does it) when he wears it, and in my opinion having him on the pitch doing that lifts the whole team. He has done more in one year than so many Leinster players do in 5, and as someone used as an example for Ollie being a legend, his name is great for songs

I dont use the word legend very easily usually waiting for a player to be with a club for a number of years but when a guy contributes so much in so short a space of time to getting somewhere a team has never got before he qualifies in my opinion

Side note: on the mercenary topic, by that mention nearly every professional in every walk of life is one. To my knowledge Leinster didnt offer the highest pay packet when Rocky was coming over and he was very much in demand, decided on other drivers as well and has worked well for him. AND LEINSTER

fifth

Rocky on ireland am this morning at 7.45am expressing his desire to leave after this season.. doesn't help matters much but still I'll keep the faith!

hardCopy

:(:(

Don't go Rocky

danthefan

funkyflea wrote: »

Rocky on ireland am this morning at 7.45am expressing his desire to leave after this season.. doesn't help matters much but still I'll keep the faith!

Did he say he wanted to leave Leinster or did he say he wanted to play test rugby/play for Aus?

Phrio

danthefan wrote: »

Did he say he wanted to leave Leinster or did he say he wanted to play test rugby/play for Aus?

http://tv3.ie/videos.php?video=8861&locID=1.65.74

heres the vid of the whole interview

Said wanted to play test rugby

[Jackass]

Yeah doesn't sound great in fairness, but also in fairness Rocky has been saying all season that his priority is to play for the wallabies and he has made himself available for selection all season, he just hasn't been selected as he is based abroad, and again he is saying that the main problem will be getting selected, as it has been since he's been at Leinster, so you never know, he may stay the extra year and will be trying to do a deal to be allowed play for the wallabies...you just don't know.

Regarding my comment earlier about Cheika saying the deal will be sorted out in the off season, needless to say Leinster will have talked to him about staying and the ARU and Queensland (or whoever) will have been asking him home, but I think what Cheika meant is that nothing is decided and when the dust has settled on the season they'll be able to all sit down and do a deal, one way or another.

I would love Rocky to stay and I'm not ruiling it out. I'll admit it doesn't look great that he will stay, but you never know, the man is impossible to read. If any of you followed the months and months of speculation before he signed for Leinster you will know what I mean, he's quoted sometimes saying he will never do anything to jeprodise playing for his country, he's quoted as saying his only priority in rugby is playing for Australia then you'll read he has signed for Leinster then you'll read he's open for selection for the Wallabies, so I say just let it play out and stop the speculation, cause he's a smart lad and plays his cards close to his chest and if we have to offer ridiculos money (which I don't think it's even about to be honest) then so be it.

The man has to stay, we need him, and we should do whatever it takes to keep him.

Diamondmaker

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25410910-5015656,00.html

Its 2 weeks old but its much the same story we are still hearing, again at this stage its all conjecture and possible tactical, negotiating games.

< being used a nervous wait smilie >

fifth

Let's all write to him and plead with him to stay!

Anyone have his address? :pac:

NickNolte

funkyflea wrote: »

Anyone have his address? :pac:

I think Cheika packs him away in a large, mahogany box at the end of each game. I'm not sure where the box is stored but I'd imagine somewhere near the RDS changing rooms.

Tim Robbins

NickNolte wrote: »

I think Cheika packs him away in a large, mahogany box at the end of each game. I'm not sure where the box is stored but I'd imagine somewhere near the RDS changing rooms.

See no big deal about losing Rocky. We paid for a year we got a year.
The ultimate aim is to bring Irish players through. He raised the standard in the Leinster pac, instead of being another over rated import who comes over when their at the end of their career. It's now up to the younger players to show what they've learned and make the step up.

I can understand anyone wanting to play for their own country and live close to their family. If Argentina had a professional set up, Felipe would have done the same.

Well done Rocky - now play another stormer in the final!!!!!!!!!

conf101

Phrio wrote: »

http://tv3.ie/videos.php?video=8861&locID=1.65.74

heres the vid of the whole interview

Said wanted to play test rugby

Seems fairly certain what his intentions are from that!

Serenity Now!

danthefan wrote: »

Did he say he wanted to leave Leinster or did he say he wanted to play test rugby/play for Aus?

He'll go back. The ARU will spare no expense to get him back. They need him and next season will be a buildup to the RWC season. No rocket scientists required to figure out what he'll do.

danthefan

Serenity Now! wrote: »

He'll go back. The ARU will spare no expense to get him back. They need him and next season will be a buildup to the RWC season. No rocket scientists required to figure out what he'll do.

If it's down to money alone Leinster would win hands down, the ARU could match what we'd offer him in terms of salary. The fact he wants to play test rugby is why he'll be going back, not that the ARU can offer him better terms than he'd get here.

Serenity Now!

danthefan wrote: »

If it's down to money alone Leinster would win hands down, the ARU could match what we'd offer him in terms of salary. The fact he wants to play test rugby is why he'll be going back, not that the ARU can offer him better terms than he'd get here.

He is of the same quality and profile as Giteau, Australia's only millionaire player. If you think the ARU won't canvas for money to sign him up again then thats not my problem. Not that it makes a difference either. He's going back home.

Diamondmaker

funkyflea wrote: »

Let's all write to him and plead with him to stay!

Anyone have his address? :pac:

I think he has a new gaff in Red Hill, Brisbane, QLD :pac:

Just back from a Reds game and I have decided I cant lose so I will be an optimist, if he goes - he comes here ! ....tee hee hee hee.

Man they need him, dire team..............

ALH-06

conf101 wrote: »

Seems fairly certain what his intentions are from that!

Ah shíte, he couldn't have been any clearer!

Looks like we'll lose him, no matter how much money Cheika throws at him.

But he said a lot of things are out of his control? Does that mean he's still hopeful of reaching some compromise with the ARU with regard playing over here and internationally at the same time? Or is that just wishful thinking...

roarlad

Speaking of Rocky, I saw him this morning in UCD doing a series of sprints, obviously he was testing the knee, there were a couple of trainers/physios around monitoring his progress.
From what I could see he seemed fine, wasn't showing any pain or trouble after each sprint, he just turned around and walked back and got ready for the next one.