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Gasnier says 'oui' to rumour
By Dean Ritchie Gasnier says 'oui' to rumour | The Daily Telegraph
May 12, 2008 12:00am
ST GEORGE Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier yesterday confirmed he had "explored the option" of playing rugby union in France.
But just as quickly he said that it would be wrong to say he was trying to get out of his contract.
"I've been confronted with a situation I've had to react to and I'm doing it in my (own) best interests.
"I can only be vague. I'm not one to pinpoint names or things.
"There's definitely no ill-feeling between the club and me, and I want the fans to know that."
Gasnier said he did not want the speculation to snowball as it had two years ago when he was being hunted by the ARU. [COLOR="red"] So being vague is aimed at countering the speculation?COLOR]
"It's not me going out there looking for it," Gasnier said.
"Something happened and I've gone and looked. Huh? I thought you just said its not you looking for it. I'm not going to say the exact situation and make a circus of this whole thing."
Gasnier has a unusual clause in his contract which allows him to look for another club during one month of every season. Sounds like a circus already to me.
He is under contract to the Dragons until 2011.
Reports emerged over the weekend that Gasnier could join former Panthers halfback and close friend Craig Gower playing in Europe.
The reports have stunned not only Dragons chief executive Peter Doust but also Gasnier's manager George Mimis.
It's understood Mimis is upset because the deal is being brokered by a rival manager, Greg Willett. A Circus and a soap.
Mimis will contact Willett today to express his concerns.
"I'm stunned like most people," said Dragons chief executive Peter Doust.
"We'll explore it as thoroughly as we can. 'Gaz' is contracted until 2011 and I'll be doing the best I can to get him to fulfil that contract. We want him to be here and want him to be a Dragons man."