There’s no shortage of ways to creatively describe just how long Rob Simmons has been a fixture in the Wallabies team.
Debuting with a win against South Africa in Brisbane in 2010, only five of his current Rugby World Cup teammates were in the matchday 23 alongside him that day; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, David Pocock and James Slipper.
Katy Perry’s ‘California Gurls’, which we’d hazard a guess isn’t necessarily Rob’s jam, was top of the Billboard Charts, while there’s a greater chance he was a fan of the movie Inception, which was in it’s second week at the cinema.
Simmons has played under four Wallaby Head Coaches, while nine Men have captained Australia in that time and he’s also played under every one of them, including one-Test skippers Dean Mumm and James Slipper. Wallaby No. 844, a further 85 men have debuted since, ten of them having since retired.
So, you get the picture – Rob Simmons, the enduring veteran at his third Rugby World Cup, who’s played at least six times for the Wallabies every calendar year since, and as of Saturday’s win against Georgia is just the eleventh man to play 100 Tests for Australia.
He’s also staunchly loyal, the man from Theodore, one of only two men on that list (alongside Stephen Moore and Nathan Sharpe) to have played his entire professional career in Australia, recently re-signing with the NSW Waratahs until the end of 2021 after relocating to Sydney from the Queensland Reds (where he’s also a Centurion) ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season.
“Representing Australia is a huge driving factor for Rob,” his wife Lucy Simmons tells RUPA over the phone from Japan. “There’s been a lot of possible pulling factors with comparatively huge offers being presented from Clubs overseas, and that has been tempting at times, but Rob has always been so passionate about the Gold jersey and has so much pride in wearing it.
“His country roots, growing up on a cattle station out west in Central Queensland, mean that while those overseas offers might have been tempting, they’re out-weighed by his passion for Australia and a really strong connection to Australia and the gold jersey.”
Slipper went to high school with Simmons at The Southport School on the Gold Coast, and the two remain close to this day, with the loosehead prop explaining in The Australian how special it was to celebrate the milestone with his mate.
“We shake our heads at it every time, (that) the opportunity that has been given to us and to be sitting here with Simmons playing 100 games and myself in the 90s (he has 95 Test caps), we’re just very humbled,” Slipper said. “We didn’t expect this as young blokes just hanging around enjoying ourselves, so to represent our country for so many years has been a blessing we’ll cherish.”
Pocock and young Queensland lock Izack Rodda were among others to pay tribute to one of Australian Rugby’s general good guys in the lead-up to the match.
“I've played plenty of footy against and alongside Rob - he’s a well-loved member of the team, one of those guys who goes about his business, very dependable and he's clearly been pretty robust to have played 100 games in the time he has,” Pocock said. “(It’s been) Pretty amazing to have someone like him on the bench, be able to call on someone like that with that experience, knowing he steps up when he’s needed.”
“For me, there's probably a little bit extra because I started at the Reds in 2015 where Simmo was and learned my trade under him and he took me under my wing, when I started at the Reds back in 2015,” Rodda said.
“He's… guided me around my footy journey, so I've got a lot of respect for Simmo.”
Reflecting on the journey, Lucy said that Rob’s genuine love of the game has been at the heart of his achievement, as well as a shift in perception following Billy’s arrival in February 2018 – with Rob typically turning out in a pre-season trial match for the ‘Tahs eighteen hours later.
“He is extremely passionate about his Rugby, he really does put his heart and soul into every game, and in my view, he is a pretty driven and resilient player,” she said. “Off the field, he’s very loyal and hard-working, and he’s humble – a man of few words. He is his own worst critic and he knows when he doesn’t have a good game, but he’s also very resilient in the face of that. He is always excited to get up and go to work and that’s definitely helped with the longevity of his career.
“There’s been a huge number of changes in the Wallabies over the last ten years, and his mindset has always been that he is grateful to be there for every training session, tour and matchday selection, and he never takes that gold jersey for granted.
“There’s no particular secret to that longevity, or to him staying injury free – luck has played a bit of a role in that. Having a happy home environment makes it easier for him to fully commit to his Rugby, but his commitment to his preparation and hard work has always been there.
“This achievement has come with all the usual highs and lows (of professional sport), and to get though a typhoon to play this game is pretty unique and memorable in itself, but he is a big family man and to have his son there and another on the way (due in March) has given him a new perspective on life. He has changed as a person and he has become more relaxed, but also, it’s given him additional drive to become a better player and to enjoy the game a bit more.
“We’re extremely proud of Rob, myself, his family and my family. I know that the game was extremely special for him, and I know he got a little bit emotional afterwards."
Speaking with Rugby.com.au after the match, Simmons said having Lucy and Billy in the crowd for the milestone was the most special thing about it.
“Mum and Dad couldn’t make it unfortunately, they would have loved to have been here, but it was awesome to have my son, wife and her family here,” he said. “I try and approach each game in the same way and keep the emotion out of it, but I am sure it will sink in pretty soon.
"It’s always special being told you’re going to represent your country, and the excitement starting building pretty quickly."
For Lucy, there’s too many special memories to single out one favourite that she’s been able to share with him. There’s that first Test match, to travelling to three Rugby World Cups, to taking Billy to watch his dad play for the Wallabies for the first time last year back in Brisbane, where it all started.
Rob, on behalf of all of Australia’s professional Rugby players, we congratulate you on an outstanding achievement, and here’s to many more!
