Ronan O'Gara's nickname of "Rog" has caused the Lions coaching staff a few difficulties, prompting them to accidentally come up with an array of variations. Much to the amusement of the players, Dave Alred mistakenly called him Rowan, Phil Larder splurted out Rory and Graham Henry hesitated with Roger. Armed accordingly, the players were inspired to come up with their own variations, and a small selection of these featured Rupert, Ronnie, Reginald, Ramon, Robert, Roy, Rupert and Rashid. Basically anything and everything beginning with an R.

While in their hotel casino in Townsville, the players were being interviewed by somebody who claimed to be a Melbourne journalist and was doing a feature on them. When it was suggested that he should interview one of their leading players, Rex O'Kelly, "the best player to come out of Ireland", the interloper mistakenly let on that, of course, he knew of the great Rex. So, the name that has proved the most popular and has stuck to a degree is "Rex O'Kelly".