Gasnier tipped for gold jersey
0
23rd September 2009
Returning ex-Stade Français coach Ewen McKenzie reckons that Mark Gasnier could yet force his way into the Wallaby Test team if he came home.
Gasnier, 28, headed for the bright lights and pink shirts of Paris a shade over a year ago, leaving rugby league and St. George Illawara to make the change in the most intimidating of circumstances.
Not only was he confronted with a completely new game, he was, by and large, being taught by Christophe Dominici, whose English is far from perfect.
Yet within a few weeks the tall and abrasive-running winger was running in the tries for his new team and has continued to progess this year into someone who looks to be the real deal.
In an interview with Australia's Daily Telegraph McKenzie said that Gasnier ought to be a consideration for the national side if he ever makes it home.
"In a difficult environment he has progressed pretty well and that will continue, I can't stress how hard it was having to learn the game in a different environment when the backs coach didn't speak English," McKenzie said.
"He virtually got off the plane after a 32-game league season and then played another 25-odd games. That is mentally tough.
"My impression is that he was looking for a new challenge and is certainly enjoying the fact that it is something different.
"So you can't imagine by the middle of next year that he is not going to be an attractive prospect.
"He is not the finished article - no one ever is. But he is feeling more and more comfortable about rugby by the day.
"He also knows there are still bits and pieces he has to become instinctive about.
"If he came back here and there was anything left to develop it would happen pretty quickly."
There still remains a question over which position Gasnier would be best suited to. He has run from wing as that is an easier basic position to learn, but suspicions lurk that his strength with the ball in hand might be best suited to centre, where he has made a few apearances. McKenzie was also planning to give him a run at full-back before he was unceremoniously sacked three weeks ago.
Gasnier's contract expires at the end of this season and the Australian franchises are looking on with curiosity at what his plans might be.
"He is a starting player every week and has done it in multiple positions - that suggests how important he was on the field," McKenzie said.
"I keep in touch with him, when you get involved with these players you want to see them do well."
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...578577,00.html
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by AndyS
