Rogers hoping Prince doesn't get picked
As selfish as it sounds, Mat Rogers hopes his Gold Coast teammate Scott Prince doesn't get picked for representative duty this NRL season.
That's right - doesn't get picked.
Quite simply, the dual international wants to win an NRL premiership - and he figures having Prince around is only going to help.
It was a refreshingly honest take on the Prince-Johnathan Thurston halfback debate ahead of the May 8 Anzac Test and Origin series starting in June.
Prince has endured weeks of speculation over his rep chances - and it doesn't look like going away ahead of the Gold Coast's clash at Penrith on Monday night.
Rogers reckons the decision is already clear, declaring Prince "the best halfback in the world".
It's just that he wants him all to himself.
"I hope he doesn't get picked, to be quite honest," Rogers told AAP.
"Because then he plays for us.
"It's selfish, but I want to win a comp.
"Personally I think he is the best halfback in the world, so I think he should be picked - but hopefully he doesn't get picked."
Prince is clearly sick of the constant speculation about his selection.
"Yeah mate. What more can you talk about?," Prince told AAP.
"It is out of my hands. All I can do is play good football."
Rogers was a little more direct.
"I couldn't give a stuff about the Origin thing at the moment," he said.
"I am sure Princey is sick of it.
"All Princey worries about is getting himself right to play each week.
"We all understand newspapers have to sell so there's got to be that constant speculation - it creates the drama."
There has already been plenty of drama off the field ahead of the Titans-Penrith clash - Rogers (neck/shoulder) and co-captain Luke Bailey (knee) have been ruled out but are expected back next round.
After proving that they could win without Prince, the Titans now face another test according to Rogers.
"When Princey was out I made a comment that Princey doesn't do the hit-ups for us and he doesn't do all the tackling for us," Rogers said.
"Well, Bails (Bailey) does do all the hit-ups and the tackling for us.
"But Mini (Mark Minichiello), (Anthony) Laffranchi and Matt White have been killing it for us - they are not going to shirk any duties.
"Everyone is playing for each other.
"It doesn't matter who is on the field for us."
The Titans (5-1) may be at the top end of the table but they have been there before, and crashed badly.
In their first two seasons they enjoyed early success - only to crash out of finals contention.
Not that Rogers has to be reminded.
"I think we have earned a lot more respect as a team this year," Rogers said.
"Winning on the road helps, winning without Princey helps, but it is early days.
"If we were a race horse you wouldn't be betting on us just yet."
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