Sydney rugby clubs interested in signing Greg Bird
By Jon Geddes
February 19, 2009
Greg Bird may play for "a cut lunch" this year after losing his $350,000-a-season contract to play rugby league in 2008.
Bird may return to the football field playing club rugby union, with at least half-a-dozen Sydney clubs expressing interest in the fallen NRL star.
The Sydney rugby competition could provide Bird with a stepping stone to a European deal.
NSW Rugby chief executive Jim L'Estrange said the former Cronulla player was not suspended and there was nothing to stop rugby teams signing him.
"If there is any suspension in rugby league then that would carry over to rugby union so he wouldn't be eligible to play rugby union for any of our clubs," L'Estrange said.
L'Estrange emphasised that New South Wales Waratahs had no interest in signing Bird.
"It becomes a club decision and they will have to make a judicious decision as to whether it is good thing or not for them, taking everything on board," he said.
West Harbour general manager Gary Jones said his club would love to have a player of Bird's calibre "if he wanted to play for our standard playing fee, which buys you a cut lunch every second day".
Gordon coach Lachlan Fear, meanwhile, said the club had considered recruiting Bird.
"The biggest thing about getting a new guy to the club is does he fit the culture of the club," Fear said.
"If their character is not up to scratch then is no point in having them around."
Eastern Suburbs rugby manager Peter Maddocks said his club didn't shut the door on anyone.
"A community rugby club needs a good culture and I'm not necessarily talking about Greg Bird," Maddocks said.
"If we thought he would be someone who would be of benefit to the club - not only on the field but away from the field - then we would be interested."
Norths general manager Grant Richardson said he couldn't rule anything out.
"We would have to sit down and talk to the individual and see if our objectives are the same," he said.
Southern Districts are considered the favourites to sign Bird, as he has spent time training with the team and lives in the area.
But club general manager Craig Hawkings has played down the speculation.
"He is good mates with a couple of the young blokes here and they went to school together," Hawkings said of Bird.
"We have haven't discussed it."
Randwick coach Gary Ella said the Galloping Greens were always interested in good players "but he would have to prove his personal issues are behind him".
Eastwood coach Brian Melrose said Bird was clearly a good player.
Asked if his club could sign him Melrose said: "It would not be out of the question but it's not something I have given a lot of thought to."
Bird's manager, Gavin Orr, had no comment to make on a possible switch of codes.
