Super Rugby
League return doesn't interest Rooney
ESPNscrum Staff
October 8, 2010
Toulon's Luke Rooney looks for an opening, Toulon v Castres Olympique, European Challenge Cup, Stade Felix Mayol, Toulon, France, January 23, 2010
Luke Rooney made his first strides in union with Toulon © Getty Images
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Melbourne Rebels fullback Luke Rooney has no desire to return to his roots in rugby league, insisting that he will not be joining former Stade Francais centre Mark Gasnier in re-crossing the divide.

A former Kangaroos international and regular for Penrith in the NRL, Rooney made his first strides in union with Top 14 side Toulon before agreeing to join the Rebels when a move to Worcester fell through due to the Warriors' relegation from the Premiership.

In recent seasons Gasnier, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor have all returned to league after successful stints in the 15-man-code but Rooney insists that he has plenty left to achieve.

''They've achieved everything in the game,'' Rooney told AAP. ''I guess when you've played league all your life and you switch over, then you might want to give it another try. ''I miss it a bit because it's the game I grew up with and a lot of my friends still play. [But] at the moment I'm not even thinking about going back there, I'm enjoying rugby too much."

Rooney believes that he is some way from becoming a dual-code international however and is intent on building his experience in Super Rugby next season. Before joining the Rebels he signed a short-term deal with Hawke's Bay in New Zealand, but his ITM Cup sojourn was wrecked by a groin injury two games in.

''I've got a lot of learning to do, I need to get Super 15 rugby under my belt at the moment, but maybe in the long term," he said. "I've only played union for two years, and it's different rugby over there [France].''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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