Gaz wants Wallabies

[Spook]

Rugby
Stade Francais' Mark Gasnier keen to return to Australia with the Wallabies

By Jim Tucker
November 16, 2009

Paris-based Mark Gasnier revealed he is ready to talk seriously about a shift home for a bold shot at the 2011 World Cup and the birth of Super 15 that season.

The Australian Rugby Union should be knocking on the door of 'Les Gaz' after that green light because outside centre is the Wallabies' greatest problem spot.

Former captain Stirling Mortlock is likely to have played his last Test while converted winger Digby Ioane, at No. 13 for the Test against Ireland in Dublin, and Ryan Cross are Australia's other options.

"There's a lot of stuff between me saying I want to play in Australia and it actually happening, but now it is definitely an option," Gasnier, 28, said.

"If the ARU is genuinely interested, I'm ready for a chat. Then again, they might not need me."

The former rugby league star finally feels he has something concrete to discuss for the 2011 season because he's been shifted to his favourite position at outside centre for the past two games with French club Stade Francais.

His open mind on the future will stir a chase from Melbourne's new Super 15 franchise as well as Queensland Reds, where his former Stade Francais mentor Ewen McKenzie now coaches.

He admitted January was decision time on where his fledgling rugby career might lead after jumping into the unknown at Stade Francais following his shock NRL exit in 2008.

"The big thing is I'm enjoying the whole experience in France. If I went back to Australia, I'd want to play at the highest level. All footballers say they love to represent their country and I'm the same. Journalists want to know 'yes' or 'no' about me playing rugby in Australia. I'm not being a fence sitter, but, in all honesty, I haven't reached that mindset of 'this is what I want to do'.

"I'd want to decide by the end of January. If I felt I was ready, the next step would be sitting down with the ARU to see if they are interested."

 

[cyclopath]

Well, I would debate that 13 is our biggest problem. Ioane is coming along, Mortlock aint gone yet, and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is a damn good 13 (who just seems to be stuck at 15, but let's not get into that).
In the backs, 10 and 15 worry me. I know we have some good young 10s coming through, but 2011 is close. 15 looks more dismal.
I would welcome Gaz to have a try, but get a S15 gig then see how he goes, and if he's good enough, great. He has the skill set to be promising, no doubt. Hopefully the lesson of previous converts is not lost on the ARU. At least we have the benefit of getting him AFTER he has learned the game to some degree. And we know he isn't crocked.

 

[Epi]

He's going very very well at the moment. In fact - I reckon he'd be one of the most dangerous backs running around in the Top 14 this season. Has a knack of making something out of nothing.

 

[fatprop]

He would be good to have in the squad

 

[Pfitzy]

And I like his attitude: "Then again, they might not need me". Seems to be pretty confident in his own skin.

 

[Biffo]

And I like his attitude: "Then again, they might not need me". Seems to be pretty confident in his own skin.

Yeah, I had the same impression.

He is going very well indeed at the moment. By the time this season's T14 is over, he will have played 50+ high class games of rugby. Come home, Son, even if that is to the awful Reds :lmao: :fishing?

 

[disco]

even if that is to the awful Reds

Fuck yeah we'll have him I'd like to see him play at 12 when the pieman moves on.

I think 12 is more of any area of concern than 13.

 

[Biffo]

even if that is to the awful Reds

Fuck yeah we'll have him I'd like to see him play at 12 when the pieman moves on.

I think 12 is more of any area of concern than 13.

Jokes aside, I'd be delighted to see him at the Reds - for both parties.

 

[disco]

We definitely need him but at the end of the day it's another classy back for the Wallabies.

 

[Ash]

The Reds need classy forwards more than anyone else. Honestly, if Gasnier wants a chance at selection, as much as I hate to say it, then he should go to a team where he'd be best used. If Mortlock leaves, then that would be 13 at the Brumbies.

Would love Gasnier at the Reds, though. Just not quite as much as a quality pack.

 

[Pfitzy]

The Reds need classy forwards more than anyone else.

Fuck are you kidding? They've got all the hard workers they need up front, its just that in the recent past they've barely been able to march in the same direction together. McKenzie might reduce your game plan to 10-man rugby, but by fuck if he can't get either of your top 2 forward packs smashing the shit out of people then you've every right to fire him.

Props: Holmes, Daley, Edwards, Weeks, Kennedy - good pool of scrum talent there
Hookers: Hardman, Fainga'a, Hanson - nothing flash there but workmanlike and capable
Locks: Horwill, Byrnes, Humphries, Simmons - Not short of size or power
Back Row: Higginbotham, Braid, Tomiki, Luafutu, Houston, Taylor - Houston looks like he's lost weight

So no-one there who is a standout match winner but shit if you picked the 8 below you've got the backs to monster people:

1 Holmes
2 Hardman
3 Edwards
4 Horwill
5 Humphries
6 Higginbotham
7 Braid
8 Houston

Backups are
1 Daley
2 Fainga'a
3 Weeks
4 Simmons
5 Byrnes
6 Luafutu
7 Tomiki
8 Taylor

The only thing that second pack lacks is experience.

 

[TOCC]

The Reds need classy forwards more than anyone else.

Fuck are you kidding? They've got all the hard workers they need up front, its just that in the recent past they've barely been able to march in the same direction together. McKenzie might reduce your game plan to 10-man rugby, but by fuck if he can't get either of your top 2 forward packs smashing the shit out of people then you've every right to fire him.

Props: Holmes, Daley, Edwards, Weeks, Kennedy - good pool of scrum talent there
Hookers: Hardman, Fainga'a, Hanson - nothing flash there but workmanlike and capable
Locks: Horwill, Byrnes, Humphries, Simmons - Not short of size or power
Back Row: Higginbotham, Braid, Tomiki, Luafutu, Houston, Taylor - Houston looks like he's lost weight

So no-one there who is a standout match winner but shit if you picked the 8 below you've got the backs to monster people:

1 Holmes
2 Hardman
3 Edwards
4 Horwill
5 Humphries
6 Higginbotham
7 Braid
8 Houston

Backups are
1 Daley
2 Fainga'a
3 Weeks
4 Simmons
5 Byrnes
6 Luafutu
7 Tomiki
8 Taylor

The only thing that second pack lacks is experience.

I dont think the Reds pack is short of potential, they are however not fulfilling there potential at the slightest, the backrow is really where the Reds are let down, QLD need Braid to fire in 2010, every great team has a awsome openside flanker leading from the front.

 

[Scotty]

Nick,

You are right, there are a lot of hardworkers there, but not sure how many would be in the 'classy' category. No doubt many have the potential though.

However, you only have to look at who they have lost, or missed get to see the gap to what they do have - Moore, Elsom, and even Sharpe.

 

[Viking]

I think Gaz would be a good addition to the wallabies. As long as he is in form and still has some decent pace. Wouldnt consider him at 13 with the likes of AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and diggers in the team. Gaz would be great on the wing tho.

 

[Jethro Tah]

I'm heading home boys! Nah, just kidding.

I sure hope he does for the Wallabies sake. Would prefer him over Cross but don't see him pushing Diggers out, who is younger and still improving. I think he is serious as he would know full well that he would have to take a pay cut if he returned home. Or maybe he is just fuelling the fires for his next pay negotiation with Stade, who would sure miss him as he has been playing very well over here.