Why Grothe knocked back union

parragirl · Why Grothe knocked back union

By Steve Mascord
March 30, 2007

RULED out of tonight's clash with Wests Tigers, international winger Eric Grothe has explained his decision to shun rugby union and stay with Parramatta.

Grothe last night decided he was not ready to return from an ankle injury at Parramatta Stadium and was replaced by Joel Reddy.

But he'll be around the district until at least the end of 2010 saying: "I'm going to sign for three years with Parra - I'm pretty excited about.

"I spoke to the ARU (Australian Rugby Union) a month ago. They seemed super-keen. The feeling I got from them is that I was more than happy to have me on board.

"Then I heard they pulled out ... apparently they did ... the Waratahs were still keen but it just kind of got left a bit too long.

"Parra were always, from the start, keen. They showed the most interest. I was happy to stay because I've got a lot of good friends at the club.

"It's a big contract for me, being 27, so I just wanted to make sure it was a proper one and I'll be able to look after myself financially."

Grothe said he wasn't overly concerned he had to read about the ARU's interest waning.

"I'm not the best at answering my phone," he said. "They could have tried. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt."

Explaining his decision to withdraw from tonight's game, Grothe said: "It's still sore but I wanted to have a proper training week on it.

"I was trying to do speed stuff on it today and it was really weak still."

Source
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21471936-23214,00.html

parragirl

Grothe targets Test spot

Greg Prichard | March 30, 2007

Now that he has settled on his future with Parramatta, star winger Eric Grothe has set himself the challenge of breaking back into the Australian team before the end of this year and getting the inside running for a shot at the 2008 World Cup.

"That would be awesome, to play in the World Cup," Grothe said yesterday. "And if you can finish this year in the Australian team, it should give you a bit of a leg up for next year."

Grothe has represented Australia in one Test - against France in 2005 - and was a part of Australia's squad for the Tri-Nations tournament against New Zealand and Great Britain at the time. But he was not selected for any of the Tests against the Kiwis and the Poms and is keen to complete his CV by playing against Australia's two greatest rivals.

"I was proud to play for Australia against France and it sure felt like a Test," he said. "It was still our country against another country and it's an honour to play for Australia under any circumstances.

"But, taking nothing away from France, I want to wear the green and gold against New Zealand and Great Britain, so I can say I've played against all three. Next year would give me the chance to make it all three, if I got into the squad for the World Cup."

Grothe, who played all three State of Origin games for NSW last year but did not make the Kangaroos squad for the end-of-season Tri-Nations, doesn't give himself any chance of playing in next month's Test against New Zealand.

He hasn't played in a premiership game this season because of an ankle injury and though he has been named to resume for Parramatta against Wests Tigers at Parramatta Stadium tonight, he is set to withdraw from that game (see Late Mail, right).

Including this round, there are only three more rounds before the Test team for the game, at Suncorp Stadium on April 20, is picked. Grothe is instead aiming at the end-of-season Test against the Kiwis on October 14 in Wellington.

It took a while for Grothe to make a decision on his future. There was interest from rugby union and while the Eels had offered him a two-year deal, he was keen on three years.

But when the Australian Rugby Union announced last week that it would not be making Grothe an offer, and then Parramatta increased their offer to three years, it made the picture a lot clearer. Grothe will make it official by signing the contract today.

"I don't know what happened with union," he said. "I met with [Wallaby coach] John Connolly and that seemed to go well, but then I heard the ARU wasn't making an offer.

"I thought it was a bit weird, but, fair enough, if that's how they felt. It's up to them. Then there was interest from the Waratahs, but it looked like it was going to take too long for anything to happen.

"I'm very happy to stick with Parramatta for another three years. I'll be 30 by then. I don't know if I'll keep playing after that. I wanted to feel secure financially, and I got a little bit of an increase from Parramatta, so it's all good."

Source
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/n...pot/2007/03/29/1174761666197.html

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Eels to keep Grothe until 2010

April 05, 2007

PARRAMATTA winger Eric Grothe has re-signed with the NRL club in a deal which will see him remain an Eel until the end of the 2010 season.
Grothe, who was rumoured to be tossing up a future in rugby union last month, agreed to a new three-year contract with the club at which he made his NRL debut in 1999.

The 27-year-old has yet to play this season due to an ankle injury, but has been named to make his comeback in Saturday night's home game against Canberra.

"I'm really glad this has been sorted out and I can't wait to get back on the field this week," Grothe said.

"It has been an unsettling month or so and knowing my future is secure is great."

Grothe met with Wallabies coach John Connolly earlier this year where a possible switch of codes was discussed.

The NSW Waratahs Super 14 franchise was said to be interested in securing his services, but any potential deal fell through when the ARU declined to offer the former Test winger a contract.

Grothe admitted that his famous father - former Parramatta and Test winger Eric Grothe senior - had played an influential role in his decision.

"Dad was obviously very keen for me to stay at Parramatta," he said.

"I have so much respect for what he did in the blue and gold jersey."

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan, who celebrated his first win with the Eels in last Friday's 22-20 golden point win over Wests Tigers, said news of the re-signing was a significant boost heading into the match against the Raiders.

"Eric has stamped himself as one of the best wingers in the competition," Hagan said.

"He grabbed his opportunity at Origin level last year and made the most of it."

Parramatta also announced the retention of winger/fullback Joel Reddy for a further two years.

Reddy has been a solid performer for the Eels deputising for the injured Grothe in the opening three rounds.

- AAP
Source
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.../0,20867,21510687-5012431,00.html