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I’d imagine the reported return of Mark Gasnier is music to the ears for NRL boss David Gallop. Finally, something positive to take the spotlight off salary cap drama and the endless parade of players receiving media attention for all the wrong reasons.
Gasnier left rugby league as arguably the best center playing the game.
But before he suits up in the number 3 for the Dragons a few things need to be discussed.
Is he done with rugby?
Rugby union has certainly provided for Gasnier financially, but I’m not convinced he’s confident in his own ability as a rugby player.
Gasnier is reported to have said he finds rugby boring and that although he enjoys the French lifestyle his preference is to play rugby league.
I for one find it hard to believe that earning almost double what you would playing league would be boring, especially when you enjoy living in Paris so much.
John O’Neill has said he’s prepared to withdraw his “never approach him again attitude”.
Truth is, Gasnier is a champion footballer and given the right environment could be the x-factor the Wallabies need with the upcoming RWC, I’m just not sure he knows it.
European rugby dulled his speed and agility – Gasnier has certainly shown glimpses of greatness but it’s far from the scintillating form we know he’s capable of.
Slugging away in the rain sodden “bash fest”, which is European rugby, is enough to damage anyone’s confidence, especially when you were once spoken about in the same breath as your great uncle.
Super rugby would give him more room before the line and would allow him to play closer to the ruck rather than the limited room he’s been dealing with on the wing for Stade Francais.
However, despite what the ARU can offer him and despite what we all know he’s capable of with any shape of ball, it would appear Gasnier would rather sink back into the comfort zone of the NRL
But where would he go?
Surely the Dragons would find it difficult to squeeze a player of this calibre under the cap – in fact this would almost be as miraculous as the Melbourne Storms’ bid for Willie Mason.
Newcastle has some space under it’s cap, and it’s also apparent that Gasnier and his wife Claudette prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, which Newcastle certainly offers…
Also, one of the main reasons Gasnier left Sydney was to get out of the fish bowl.
If that’s the case, the only thing more relaxed about being a footballer in Newcastle is the traffic.
In Newcastle, Gasnier would be treated as a God and hounded wherever he goes, and perhaps he should have a word to Andrew Johns about why he now lives in Sydney.
Maybe Joey will be able to offer a better definition of fishbowl.
Gasnier should not sell himself short as a rugby player.
Super rugby can provide the environment he needs in order to fulfil his true and undoubted potential as a world class rugby footballer, not to mention the pay cheque!
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