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.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Rabbitz, It would be nice if the juniors could be rewarded that way, but sport is big business with enormous pressure to win games. Club admin and coaches are not interested in sentiment, they just want to win and they will buy whoever they can to achieve success. Such is life.........
Sam
Guest
I think you are confusing him with Craig Gower.
Sam
Guest
I think the money figures can be deceiving. The money the ARU will get under the new deal is pretty good considering there are only 5 teams in Aussie and they don't play a huge number of games (compared to the NRL at least). The ARU definitely need to develop players better I agree. It is hard without a quality competition below Super 14 level. Super 14 just isn't an environment suitable for player development, but unlike the South African and NZ teams, Australia has little choice but to throw players in the deep end, maybe one reason no Australian Super 14 team made the top 4 last season?
Rabbitz
Guest
I am not sure if "why dont you just embrace him and enjoy his talents" was aimed at me, but if it was then I ask you to explain where I said anything about his talents - I merely asked about eligibility. On this maybe I am thinking of Gower playing for Italy. Like I said my feeble memory does fail me sometimes. BTW my thoughts are that if a player is not willing to put in the yards to support the game from juniors, colts, club etc then they shouldn't be offered the big bucks. Why not give the money to those whose passion is Rugby, not money.
AndyH
Roar Rookie
Yeah I agree Scott - buying players from the NRL is a poor solution, but he's been playing some brilliant rugby and I hope to see him running on an Aussie pitch again soon.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Never played for Italy, maybe Leichaardt. I think the RU strategy of "buying" NRL players is a poor short term solution, but given that is has happened and he is destined to be a Wallaby, why dont you just embrace him and enjoy his talents, as he is very special.
Rabbitz
Guest
Umm it might be my mind going but didn't Gasnier play a test for Italy? If so, that means he can't play for the Wallabies. Like I said my feeble mind may well be playing tricks on me. Rabz
AndyS
Guest
Well, I've got to say that I'd be well less than impressed if he received an ARU top-up, as has been indicated he will. How about they wait until he proves that he is actually good enough first? What does it say to players like Ioane - is it really any wonder they are increasingly looking to go overseas in their youth?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
From a marketing perspective the Stade Francais outfit is the most talked and written about so maybe there was a method in their madness.
katzilla
Roar Guru
He said NH rugby, not Heineken cup. Not that your statement makes it 'pretty much a fact' either. So your saying its more competitive merely because of the format? Competitiveness has nothing to do with the quality of teams or players?
Pajovic
Guest
It's pretty much a fact. The intensity of the HC, coupled with the sheer number of 'must win' knock out games makes it a gruelling competition to win. It's not that s14 is not competitive, it's that the 'intensity' of the latter rounds of the HC are nail biting. Players are required to really show their mettle on a contiuous basis. Do or die stuff at the business end of the HC every weekend. Its the beauty of knock out rugby.
katzilla
Roar Guru
'S14 is not as competitive as NH rugby ' Huh? What in your mind qualifys that statement?
JimC
Guest
"The difference is that Chamber has more Union experience" So Gaz has played 2 seasons in T14 + Heineken Cup.......but Chambers has more experience from his schoolboy endeavours and one trial game......... Gaz has been good for Stade. S14 is not as competitive as NH rugby and is played on mainly dry grounds so he will go well.
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
All Stars kit is 'meh', but Indigenous strip looks pretty cool. The game's about more than football. Don't know what Stade Francais players would be thinking pulling that gear on week after week, though!?! Maybe it's a French thing.
Matt
Guest
Yeah I have to actually agree with you there Oikee (for the first time in a while ;)). Chambers has played Union before as a school boy (only a few years ago) and is currently 21. Compare that to Gasnier and you don't have much of a contest for return on investment IMO. Chambers has crossed codes very young, has previous experience and has shown he is keen to do the hard yards by signing for the Reds (of all teams) and not taking the overseas money instead of the experience of playing Super rugby in Australia. Chambers will be in his mid 20's by the time the 2015WC in England rolls around and by then he'll have a massive bank of Rugby knowledge on top of his impressive physical abilities. If he manages to learn how to defend over the next 18 months then he might even have a shot at 3 WC's this decade. Both Gasnier and Chambers are 100Kg, with Gasnier taller at 6-4, compared to Chamber 6-2. The difference is that Chamber has more Union experience despite being 7 years younger!! If the Reds can keep him for longer than his current 2 year contract then they'll be one player short of a star back line IMO (Genia, Cooper, Chambers, Ioane, Morahan, Hynes). If they could snatch another young convert in 21 year old NZ born (ex Cronulla junior) Brackin Karauria-Henry) then they'd be set. This looks to be the way forward for the ARU, target young talented Toyota Cup (or expat Kiwi) kids and offer them decent enough development contracts and a chance to showcase their talents around the world. Don't bother with the big money contracts for the Tuquri's or the Gasniers unless you want the publicity. But in terms of return on investment these players don't deliver the same in terms of on-field value.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Have you seen the outfits for this Sat NRL ALL Stars and Indigenous teams?
Justin
Guest
Yeah the Stade kit is the worst pro or amo kit I have ever seen. Truly looks like a vodka/raspberry spew!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
oikee He had a shocker in the GF and could have cost the storm the Prem.. he has a long way to go, settle down with your rash statements.
oikee
Guest
I also have followed them both, but i can tell you that Chambers will be a better mould than Gasnier. Chambers has that special factor, just waiting to be released. Hopefully rugby union picks up on this , to me, he is rugby league's greatest loss so far, and he did not want to go. The kid only just learnt to play league last year, at the top level. He was on a premiership playing team(something Gasnier never acheived) and i am annoyed we never got to see him shine. The kid is special, and he is only a kid. I hope he reaches his potential in union.
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
Sorry, 'he' for 'in'. Damn lack of an editing function.