Deans - Door open for Gasnier

Wallabies coach happy with side's progress

Last updated: 23rd February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Deans - Door open for Gasnier

Mark Gasnier: league star

If he was to come back and commit to rugby union domestically then we'd have the opportunity proactively to look back at a lot of his recent rugby, but then obviously more importantly we'd have the opportunity to watch him play the game in this competition, and that'd be a great indicator.

Robbie Deans
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Also see

Australia coach Robbie Deans admits former rugby league star Mark Gasnier can still force his way into the Wallabies World Cup squad.

Gasnier, who is currently in his second season with French Top 14 club Stade Francais having switched codes at the end of 2008, is out of contract at the end of June.

The 28-year-old has been linked with moves to the Brumbies, Reds and the new Melbourne Rebels franchise, fuelling speculation that the veteran of nine State of Origin and 15 Kangaroos Tests has his sights set on the Rugby World Cup next September.

When asked if Gasnier could force his way into the Wallabies squad on the back of just one Super 15 rugby season, Deans said: "Absolutely. Anyone who plays and plays well has got a good chance."

"I haven't seen a lot (of him play), I watched him play when we were in the UK in 2008 but obviously we've got a lot of that footage.

"So if he was to come back and commit to rugby union domestically then we'd have the opportunity proactively to look back at a lot of his recent rugby, but then obviously more importantly we'd have the opportunity to watch him play the game in this competition, and that'd be a great indicator."

Success

Deans declared 2009 a success for the national side despite a disappointing Tri Nations campaign that included just one victory.

"Put it this way, we got a lot out of 09," he added. "It was a good program which included some midweek features, and they were a big part of the way the year ended (with an emphatic victory over Wales), and we believe we got some growth.

"Our last week of rugby (for the season) was great and if we can enter next year at that point then we'll be looking good."

Click Here for Your Free Bet

Post to your View!

Be the first to post a comment on this story

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private