'Reputation' forces Rose to look abroad
Enigmatic Earl Rose has built up such a reputation in South Africa that he has been forced to start looking abroad for employment.
Rose’s agent, Anthony Johnson, confirmed to this website that the Griqualand West Rugby Union has not offered the Springbok tourist a new contract – despite some decent performances in 2011.
And, as a result of an unsavoury reputation within the country, he is having to move abroad.
“Obviously he is going to struggle locally,” Johnson told rugby365.com, adding: “I think he did well at Griquas this year, but unfortunately he has built up a bit of a reputation for himself.”
The player’s agent said this reputation may be a legacy of his past, but that the 27-year-old has “grown up a lot”.
“He has matured a lot,” Johnson said, adding: “He is not the same guy he was a few years back… he is getting married now in December, he is getting his life in order .”
Johnson cited a recent discussion with Western Province and Stormers senior coach Rassie Erasmus as an example that Rose’s reputation is overshadowing his obvious talent and scaring off local teams.
“When I spoke to Rassie [Erasmus] a few days ago, we discussed various things and Earl [Rose] came up,” Johnson told this website.
“He [Erasmus] said to me: ‘That guy [Rose] is probably one of the most talented guys around. But if I sign a guy like that I will get plenty of flak’.
“Also, If you chat to the players at Griquas and you ask if they like to play around Earl [Rose], they love playing around him.
“People can criticise him as much as they like, when you play with him he creates space for you and he makes things happen. Yes, he can be amazing and he can also be terrible, but that is Earl Rose.
“Locally it is going to be tough, but we have a couple of overseas offers on the table.”
Johnson said he is working through various “visa requirements” to get Rose into a club in Europe.
Veteran prop Ronnie Uys, who turned down an offer from the EP Kings, is another player from Johnson’s stable who will be heading abroad.
Nothing has been finalised yet, but the front row forward is looking to finish off his career abroad.
By Jan de Koning
