BBC punditry trio Wayne Rooney, Micah Richards, and Joe Hart recently completed a rowing challenge on New York's Hudson River. The challenge stemmed from Rooney's declaration that he would 'row the River Mersey' if Norway reached the World Cup quarter-final. Norway did, prompting Erling Haaland to tease Rooney with 'I'm looking forward to seeing you, Wayney boy.'
How Was the Rowing Experience?
Rooney described it as 'more relaxing than I thought,' adding, 'Once we got into a nice little rhythm, we were OK.' Richards called it 'good fun' but said he wouldn't do it again. Hart noted, 'It sums up how we've been the whole World Cup, as a trio. None of us were so comfy doing it but no one cared, we all got on with it and it was a good laugh.'
Chemistry On and Off Screen
The trio's first World Cup collaboration was England's goalless draw with Ghana on 23 June. Hart explained their chemistry: 'While we're all very professional, we also go way back – like a long way back – and that's important.' Rooney compared it to playing on the pitch: 'It's about eye contact and understanding when you're coming in next.'
Their friendship spans over 20 years. Hart met Richards when he was 19 and Richards was 18. Rooney recalled meeting Richards in the England squad in November 2006, thinking, 'Who's this loud lad coming in?'
Honesty in Punditry
Hart finds it easy to be honest: 'No one's right. I'll die on my sword for this but I'll always represent the players.' Rooney added, 'I don't mind criticising but as long as it's constructive.' After England's 2-1 defeat by Argentina, Rooney felt Thomas Tuchel made a mistake by going defensive, saying, 'It's important to say that because if you are sitting at home and you say the players were brilliant when they were not or Tuchel was brilliant when he wasn't, then you know you're not going to listen to what we say.'
Should Thomas Tuchel Keep His Job?
Richards said, 'Yes – though I would have liked to see him go for it more against Argentina.' Hart reserved his opinion, noting that England were 'toe-to-toe with the best team in the world' but Tuchel 'may have got caught up in the moment.' Rooney stated, 'He made a big mistake in not allowing us the opportunity to get more pressure on the ball. But if Tuchel gets sacked who are we going to bring in? I would keep him.'
Looking Ahead
England play France in the bronze-medal game. Hart emphasized motivation: 'If you're in that England camp and representing your country on the biggest stage, then do it.' Rooney, Hart, and Richards will cover the World Cup final live on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday.
