Poll: Does Mark Gasnier have a future in Rugby Union

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    Mark Gasnier

    Burgs: The rumour mill has continued on from 2005 that nephew of Rugby League legend Reg Gasnier, Mark Gasnier may be the next major league star to cross the great divide to the Union ranks.
    The article below was followed up with conformation on the first Channel Nine "Footy Show" of the year tonight (NRL version, 10/03/06) that Gasnier will have talks with John Connolly and the ARU as to his prospects in Union.
    This time around League insiders are saying there is a very real chance that he will change codes.
    Assuming it went ahead of course, then where would Gasnier fit in?
    The first guess would be as a New South Welshman he would want to remain in NSW however, with the Tahs star studded backline and Links' keeness to sign Gits there may may not be the room nor money to accomodate that wish.
    If the goal is to get Gasnier up to speed to be an option for the '07 World Cup, then the priority would have to be for Gasnier to be drafted to a team that would use him if fit throughout the '07 Super 14.
    Depending on the movements of Gits, you could assume...nothing, really it could be any of the three teams that doesn't sign Gits as there is an argument for and against Gasnier joining each team.
    Time will tell however, he is certainly a skilled footballer and for mine would (with a little time) make a very good transition to Union

    Gasnier sets up meeting with ARU

    By Peter Badel

    February 26, 2006

    MARK Gasnier's manager will this week contact Wallabies coach John Connolly in the first definitive sign the Dragons ace is contemplating a daring "now or never" switch to rugby union.

    And Connolly is not opposed to any ARU attempt to woo Gasnier, claiming the NSW and Test centre would be a sensation in the code.

    Despite months of speculation over Gasnier's future, the two parties have not held preliminary talks, with the ARU instructing Gasnier to make the first approach only if he is genuine.

    Now Gasnier is ready to up the ante. His manager George Mimis will speak to Connolly this week to discuss opportunities in rugby for Gasnier, who is off-contract at the end of this season.

    "I'd definitely like to get some feedback from the national coach on where he sees Gaz's ability from a rugby perspective," Mimis said.

    "Gaz is only 25 but if he was to make a serious move to rugby, it would have to be now or never.

    "Mark hasn't closed the door on rugby. We haven't had any formal or informal discussions with the ARU, but that is not to say we won't.

    "Gaz hasn't played rugby at any high level but if there are people in rugby who think he could make the transition, a discussion with John Connolly is worth having."

    Connolly said Gasnier is such a rare talent he could make a near seamless transition to rugby and be a backline option for the 2007 World Cup.

    "Mark would be a great player in rugby, no doubt," Connolly said.

    "If we got a firm and serious offer from his manager, there would be an interest. I would certainly support the ARU in that regard.

    "League players who cross over (to rugby) in their prime have proven to have a good impact in our game. Look at Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri.

    "Every year that Mark stays in league will make it harder for him to succeed in rugby.

    "But if he wanted to move now I have no doubts he would adapt to the game quickly."

    While Gasnier is content at the Dragons and his preference is to stay there, several critical factors make rugby an attractive option.

    A World Cup berth aside, Gasnier could earn at least $200,000 a season more if he pledged his future to the ARU.

    Mimis said discussions with the Dragons, who are keen to tie up Gasnier for another three years, remain a "work in progress".

    "We're still working on a package," he said.

    "We have been throwing numbers around but we're not at the level where we can discuss the length of the deal yet.

    "Trent (Barrett, who is considering a move to England in 2007) has an influence on matters too, not in terms of whether he's there or not but more how it means the Dragons are placed under the salary cap."

    Mimis insists Gasnier's interest in rugby is not a publicity stunt to increase his value.

    "Rugby league is his preferred sport, no doubt about that," he said.

    "But if we can't put together a deal that is amenable with the Dragons, he will seriously consider rugby."


    The Sunday Telegraph


    MARK GASNIER

    DOB: 19 July 1981
    Place of Birth (city/state): Sydney NSW
    Height (cm): 192cm
    Weight (kg): 100kg
    Position: Centre
    NRL Debut: 2000

    Rep Honours:
    Australian team 2005,
    Australia v Papua New Guinea 2001,
    Kangaroo tourist 2001,
    NSW Origin 2004/05,
    NSW City 2001 & 03,
    Australian Schoolboy 1998/99

    St George Career:
    94 Appearances
    55 Tries
    6 Goals
    232 Points

    Related Reading:
    http://www.dragons.com.au/locker_roo...rk_gasnier.asp
    http://www.sundaytelegraph.news.com....-28780,00.html
    www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200509/s1467918.htm
    http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...?from=storylhs
    http://www.showroom.com.au/dragons/d...players_fg.htm

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    Last edited by Burgs; 10-03-06 at 01:45.

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    Meh, I'm sure he'd do well, but I don't mind either way if he comes over or not. Too many leaguies are "crying wolf" these days, I.E. threaten to cross to Union only to stay with league for more money, so I'm always dubious on these rumors.

    Never underestimate the power of competing in a rugby world cup though.

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    my thoughts exactly Sage, tho with the Salary Cap in League being such a big issue. You have to wonder if Gasnier is after some real money or just enough to fit in and play some more League either here on in Blighty (read England)

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    (formerly known as Coach) Your Humble Servant Darren's Avatar
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    Allow me to paraphrase Sage ...

    "meh"

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    Indeed... Very much Meh.

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    Watched the St George v Tigers match last night with an aim to see more of Gasnier as I haven't really focused on him before.
    Crikey he can play! Three tries in the losing team, all with a touch of brilliance about them.
    Some great bursts out of their own twenty, big tackles and only one or two blemishes.
    The commentators (including good old Rabs Warren in amazingly his 40th year of commentating!!!)rated him as the best centre in the NRL.
    If he becomes available for next season we would be mad not to get him, he's all class.
    Some League players can make the transition, others can't.
    Personally, I would put him in the former class and wouldn't dismiss him too lightly.

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    Immortal Contributor shasta's Avatar
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    Well I know there have been plenty of players willing to talk up a change of code just to up the anti in their negotiations with RL clubs. I think Gaz might, just might, be an exception. It's not all that long ago he was on the verge of quitting footy all together. There were other things he wanted to do with his life. But once he committed himself his presence on the field just grew and grew to the point where he is without question the best RL centre in the world. He's got the strength, speed and swerve of his famous uncle but also has a step like Mat Rogers.

    I agree with "Knuckles" - he'd easily convert to rugby. He's got the clout to play where he pleases - it would be great if Perth pleases him

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    Despite months of speculation over Gasnier's future, the two parties have not held preliminary talks, with the ARU instructing Gasnier to make the first approach only if he is genuine.

    I think in this instance the above quote from the original article posted is the key.
    I remember at the end of last season when there was all sorts of speculation, even Eddie was making comments from a Wallaby perspective. When it kept dribbling along the ARU, freshly stung by dealings with Johns, Anasta and co, told him to bugger off unless he meant it.
    Later in the article his manager quite clearly states that League is his first choice but if the contract can't be worked out he would look to his options in Union.
    That covers his bases to continue to negotiate with his current club without offending them but I reckon he has really got his eye on a World Cup berth and isn't just using Union leverage.
    Time will tell and I doubt there will be much further til the end of the NRL season now.

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    Written with a distinctly pro NSW viewpoint!!!

    Gasnier gets tour guarantee

    By Peter Jenkins
    March 18, 2006

    DRAGONS centre Mark Gasnier will tour with the Wallabies later this year if he decides to leave rugby league.

    The Saturday Daily Telegraph has been told Gasnier will be fast-tracked into his new code with a berth on the tour to Europe in November.

    But ARU officials will protect the game from claims that the national jersey has been farmed out unearned by blooding their potential midfield star in a handful of Australia A games.

    While the schedule has yet to be confirmed, there will be at least three midweek matches worked into the spring tour, alongside Tests against Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

    "That would be an acceptable way to do things, bring him in on a development basis ... and we are talking about a world-class footballer here," an ARU source said last night. "You would want to give him as much football as you could with the World Cup 10 months later."

    When quizzed on the prospect last night, ARU boss Gary Flowers said: "Anything is a possibility. It would be up to the selectors but I don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves.

    "These discussions are still very embryonic and so that sort of stuff is only speculative."

    Gasnier met late last week with new Wallabies coach John Connolly and ARU recruiting officer Michael O'Connor - who moved from the Wallabies to the Dragons more than 20 years ago.

    The conversation between the trio lasted almost two hours.

    Flowers has denied there was any talk of money during the discussions.
    But Gasnier is held in high regard by Connolly and O'Connor, the former dual international who also played a key role in luring Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor from the NRL. Widely regarded as the best centre in rugby league, Gasnier could expect to earn a minimum package of $500,000 a season and potentially more than $600,000 - a figure Wallabies five-eighth Stephen Larkham is sure to surpass to re-sign for next year's World Cup.

    An ARU insider has also revealed that if Gasnier does make the switch to union, he is likely to join Tuqiri, Rogers and Sailor at the NSW Waratahs for next year's Super 14 series.

    "He's a Sydney boy through and through," said the source.

    It is also seen as a prospective advantage to have Gasnier rubbing shoulders with fellow converts while he makes the transition to the 15-man game.

    The first connection between Gasnier and the ARU was made last year, through an intermediary and at the prompting of former Test coach Eddie Jones.

    Gasnier admitted an interest in discussing a move, leading to the meeting last week.

    Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock looms as the likely outside centre when the Wallabies open their Test campaign for the season in June.

    Tuqiri had the job towards the end of last year.

    But Connolly has already made it clear he believes Tuqiri's best position is on the wing.

    With key figures also suggesting Morgan Turinui's best position is inside centre, there are virtually no challengers apart from Mortlock for the Test No.13 jumper.

    As for NSW officials, they will now be sweating on the timing of further negotiations between Gasnier and the ARU.

    The Waratahs want to poach Matt Giteau from the Brumbies for next year. If he heads to Aussie Stadium, NSW will have Giteau and Turinui as a centre pairing.

    But if Giteau decides to stay in Canberra or head to Queensland or the Western Force, the Waratahs will then be left short of a second quality midfield player.

    Gasnier offers them the perfect alternative.

    The Daily Telegraph

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    I smell a rat.

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    I smell a Waratah...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Burgs
    I smell a Waratah...

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    You have to earn your pay, rugby chiefs tell Gasnier

    You have to earn your pay, rugby chiefs tell Gasnier

    By James MacSmith
    Sunday, March 19, 2006

    Kangaroos centre Mark Gasnier will get no guarantees from rugby officials or Wallabies coach John Connolly should he switch codes.

    If he decides to make the change he will be offered an incentive-laden contract and be told to prove himself in the 15-a-side game.

    If Gasnier were to leave rugby league, and all parties concede that is still a big if, he would not be offered anything near the $800,000 a season that is being bandied about. He is more likely to be paid a salary closer to the estimated $400,000 he is on with the Dragons. But should he move to rugby and play international football, there would be opportunity for him to earn more than that.

    ARU boss Gary Flowers said yesterday rugby had to be careful it wasn't being used as a bargaining tool in negotiations between Gasnier, who is off contract at the end of this year, and the Dragons.

    "That has been the case in the past and we have to make sure that Mark's interest in rugby is genuine," he said.

    "At this stage, there are no more meetings scheduled and Mark has to go away and decide what he wants to do with his future."

    Gasnier and his manager George Mimis met Connolly and ARU recruitment manager Michael O'Connor last week to discuss a possible switch. It is understood money was not discussed but Connolly and O'Connorleft the meeting believing Gasnier was thinking seriously about changing codes.

    Sources close to Gasnier told The Sun-Herald he was strongly considering playing rugby. He has said he is looking for a challenge and at 24 believes now would be a great time to make the move.

    Gasnier would follow the path trodden by dual internationals Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri. ARU officials believe Gasnier would have enough time to adapt to rugby union before the World Cup in France next year.

    Sailor said yesterday Gasnier would be a success in rugby. "The things he can do are freakish," he said. "He is a very good talent. He would be welcomed across. He could play 12 or 13, and with Shaun Berne leaving the Waratahs at the end of the year, Mark coming here would be a good thing for the future of the Waratahs."

    Sailor said Gasnier should be left to make up his mind, and Rogers agreed. "He should make his own decision and the people who pay him can decide what they want to pay him," he said.

    ARU chief operating officer Rob Clarke said there was still a long way to go before Gasnier would even be offered a rugby contract. "The money being mentioned is absolutely ridiculous," he said.

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    Veteran Sagerian's Avatar
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    What BS, if he switches it'll be in his contract that he's given a spot. Same thing happened with Dell.

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    Player Mambo No. 5's Avatar
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    Mark Who?

    Whats League?

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