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While I was critical of NRL’s champion halfback Jonathan Thurston being a success at the highest level in rugby union, there was never any doubts with Mark Gasnier.
It is fair to assume that the majority of Rugby fans in Australia have actually never seen Gasnier play a full game in either League or Union.
Well, if so, you are in for a thrill if the Melbourne Rebels is successful in negotiations and can lure him back home from Stade Francais.
Gasnier earned his stripes in the NRL playing for his famous club St George Illawarra where he scored 81 tries from only 141 games, an amazing effort considering he played right centre and did not have the luxury of a noted distributor on his left. His tries were largely individual efforts emanating from sheer brilliance.
He was just as imposing at rep level:
City Origin: 1 try from 2 games
NSW State Of Origin: 4 tries from 9 games
Australia: 11 tries from 15 Tests
Gasnier, like his immortal uncle Reg, possesses blinding speed off the mark and an excellent fend followed by a deceptive swerve and a massive side step that makes him unstoppable when he is eye-balling any fullback in the clear.
Despite his tries to games ratio stat, the criticism when he played for St George was that he often would hardly touch the ball which often happens in the “robotic” centre position.
To give him more ball, his coach Nathan Brown experimented at pivot playing second receiver, which had mixed results similar to Greg Inglis, who like Gasnier is a brilliant ball runner and not a visionary.
I would have loved to have seen him play at fullback where he would have plenty of space. It would have caused opposition coaches nightmares.
It seems the norm that when a brilliant NRL player ‘crosses over’ that he starts on the wing to learn his new trade in the 15 man game. Gasnier is too good to waste on the wing.
Let’s hope that he has passed the test and we get to examine this rare talent close up again for the Rebels and as a Wallaby.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.