Rebels coach meets with Gasnier
February 07 2010
Melbourne Rebels coach Rod Macqueen has confirmed that he met with Stade Français and former Kangaroos centre Mark Gasnier about a return to Australia.
Australian Rugby Union high performance unit manager David Nucifora has confirmed that Gasnier's agent has contacted the ARU about a potential Super 15 contract and the former Rugby League star met with Macqueen last Thursday at his Sydney home to discuss a potential move from Paris to Melbourne.
The former Wallabies coach said the meeting was to gauge Gasnier's interest in becoming a marquee signing for Super 15 team in 2011.
Mark's obviously looking to move on with his life and he seems to have a good head on his shoulders," Macqueen told The Sunday Telegraph.
"One of the things about Mark is he's now had a couple of years in rugby. He's been playing on the wing overseas, but he's probably better suited to outside centre."
Nucifora confirmed that Gasnier was part of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' plans to bolstering Australia's depth ahead of next year's World Cup in New Zealand.
Nucifora met Gasnier in Paris in November 2008 after he had signed a two-year contract at Stade Français which will expire in June.
"I initially spoke to Gasnier when he first went over to rugby because I'd never met the guy, just to try to get to know him," said Nucifora.
"That's the only conversation I've had with Mark, just over twelve months ago, but since then his agent has contacted us and we have had discussions. Mark is showing some interest in wanting to come back to Australia and wanting to have a crack at rugby.
"We're reasonably interested in chatting to him about what his motivations are and where his expectations sit in coming back to Australia. He's got a good pedigree as a footballer and he's a good athlete."