Why Knights forward Robbie Rochow chose the Rabbitohs over Cronulla

AN 11th hour phone call from Michael Maguire was the catalyst for Knights forward Robbie Rochow to turn his back on an offer from Cronulla.

Disappointed Knight's Robbie Rochow during the Newcastle Knights vs. Gold Coast Titans game at Hunter Stadium. Newcastle. Picture Gregg Porteous

AN 11th hour phone call from South Sydney coach Michael Maguire was the catalyst for injured Newcastle Knights forward Robbie Rochow to turn his back on an offer from Cronulla to sign with the Rabbitohs for 2017.

It’s understood Rochow was leaning heavily towards linking with Cronulla early this week after making the tough decision to quit the Knights with the Sharks confident they had snared him.

But Souths came in with a late offer and the conversation with Maguire was enough to convince Rochow to change his mind.

While he is yet to officially sign a contract with the Bunnies, it now appears a formality with the only other NRL club showing interest — Parramatta — not yet in a position to offer a deal because of uncertainty over their salary cap.

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“I thought Cronulla was probably the favourite with Robbie before he had the chat with Madge (Maguire) early in the week,” Rochow’s manager Allan Gainey admitted.

“They know each other from their time together in Melbourne and they spoke about the playing group at Souths and where Robbie fitted in there. He made a decision from there.

“The Sharks wanted an answer on Tuesday so we told them we wouldn’t be taking up their offer.

“That’s where it stands at the moment. He hasn’t officially signed as yet.”

A wretched run with serious injury has seen Rochow play just 13 games over the past two seasons which has not helped his bargaining position.

Injuries have restricted Rochow to 13 games in two seasons.

It is the reason he was only looking for a one year deal.

But his decision to quit the Knights was not about money.

It’s understood Newcastle’s offer was superior to his offers from both the Sharks and Souths.

“With his bad run with injuries, I think he was just keen to get away and go to a club with a bit more of an upside as far as their playing roster was concerned,” Gainey said.

Knights football boss Darren Mooney said the club was disappointed to lose Rochow.

“We made him a more than competitive offer but it came down to Robbie wanting to join a stronger roster in the short term,” Mooney said.

“It wasn’t about money in the end.”

Originally published as Why Knights forward Robbie Rochow chose the Rabbitohs over Cronulla