I’ve still got plenty to offer says exiting Rob
MILLER ADMITS SHRINKING SALARY CAP COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON WHETHER HE CAN REMAIN A PROFESSIONAL RUGBY PLAYER
I have been enjoying what I am doing. I’d like to keep playing, I feel I can do a job somewhere.
Rob Miller
LONG-SERVING Wasps back Rob Miller remains hopeful of securing another professional contract but is also preparing for life away from rugby union.
The 32-year-old was recently named in a seven-strong list of players that included James Gaskell, Marcus Watson, Michael Le Bourgeois and Jeff Toomaga-allen whose contracts would not be renewed at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Miller made his 134th Wasps appearance against Sale Sharks from the bench last week and has the potential of one more outing in Black and Gold in next weekend’s final round trip to Leicester Tigers.
The former Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons back is hopeful of bouncing back at another top level club – but pointed to the shrinking salary cap as a factor in his release and in finding another contract in rugby.
“At the minute there’s no concrete plans in place,” he said. “The squeeze in the salary cap has placed an added pressure on clubs, that has then trickled down to the players. You’ll see a larger pool of players than usual around the clubs who are out of contract.
“At the minute, nothing is set in stone but I am giving myself a good few weeks to sit and have a look at some stuff and then if something comes along that works, for myself and the family then good, if not, I’ll look to get some stuff in place off field as well.
“My body still feels good, I have been enjoying what I am doing. I’d like to keep playing, I feel I can do a job somewhere. The market is a little more difficult, currently, as a player you just have to be flexible towards that. It is later on in the day, I will wait and see a few more weeks if anything changes then go from there.
“If not, I am trying to get a few more irons in the fire as I’ve gone along outside of rugby to prepare for yourself for the inevitable, you know the day is going to come. Moving into something else is an exciting change as well, you have to look at it in a positive light and look at it in a positive light.”
Miller arrived at Wasps in 2014, a year before Lee Blackett joined as a coach ahead of his promotion to head coach in 2020 following the departure of director of rugby Dai Young.
A knee injury delayed Miller’s start to his eighth and final season in a Wasps shirt and he has gone to make just nine appearances, including only one Premiership start – when he managed a 22nd try for the club in February’s win over Bath. “It’s the day you always know you have to prepare for, but when it comes around it’s still a bit of a shock to the system,” he said.
“In my last season at the club, you’re aware of the situation. The drop in the salary cap makes things tougher. Teams have got to fit a similar sized squad into a smaller cap. I imagine it’s a very complicated jigsaw that they have to try and get to fit. Me and Lee have worked together for quite a long time and have a good relationship. He was open and honest, the way it was discussed. It’s hard, it’s something you can’t control. That as a professional sportsman is tough, you plan your week out and a lot of is under your control, but that was totally out of your control.
“So for me it was about training as hard as I can, push as hard as I can to get some game time and when I do get some game time, go out there and try and enjoy it a bit more. Go out and have fun. That’s been my focus for the last couple of months and I’ve enjoyed doing that. I’ve played a bit more in the 10 role the last few months and I’ve enjoyed that. I’ve enjoyed some game time there.
“Professional sport is ruthless, you get into it knowing at some point you’re going to come out the other side of it then it will stop. You never know when that is. Obviously I’ve been very lucky, I’ve been a pro for 15 years now.
“If nothing comes by the end of the summer, I will look back and feel I’ve achieved quite a bit and look to move on.
“But in the same breath, it’s tough, it does hurt. I am not going to lie to you, it does hurt, because it’s something you love doing and something you want to do for many more years. I still feel I’ve got a couple more in me.”