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BRUMBIES stalwart Mark Gerrard might be the form fullback in Australia but said yesterday he could go overseas before the Wallabies are even selected next month.
Just when the Brumbies needed a moment of calm to collect themselves for tonight's match in Canberra with the Bulls, just days after the emotionally draining funeral of teammate Shawn Mackay, they had a full-blown backline crisis to contend with yesterday.
First Gerrard was forced out with a hamstring niggle, then winger Alfi Mafi succumbed to a groin strain and by the time coach Andy Friend turned off the music, just about every Brumbies back had been enticed into the game of musical chairs.
Commendably, even Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock gave up his regular seat at outside centre, volunteering to return to the wing berth he last occupied when he had enough hair to hide the scar tissue.
That bumped winger Adam Ashley-Cooper back to fullback, the position where he started in 10 Tests last season, with Gene Fairbanks coming from the bench to join Tyrone Smith as the new centre combination.
Meanwhile, Francis Fainifo was brought in on the right wing and asked to attend to Bryan Habana.
Even allowing for the fact that the Bulls have had some reorganising of their own to do after losing locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, the backline reshuffle still was an upheaval the Brumbies could have done without.
The Brumbies have taken so many blows lately that they have, like the cricketer in the Monty Python gag, become quite used to it by now.
But the loss of Gerrard, aptly described by Friend as "the best kicker in the competition", is a particularly savage and potentially match-turning reverse.
His tactical kicking this season is the main reason the ACT side still is contending for the play-offs. His momentum-shifting try against the Cheetahs, his precision kicking, both for goal and in general play against the Stormers last weekend, and his coolness at the back against the Crusaders all tipped matches that could have gone either way in favour of the Brumbies.
If Super 14 form alone was the only criteria - which, of course, it is not - Gerrard deserves to be the Wallabies fullback this season. He has been far more consistent than either Drew Mitchell or Sam Norton-Knight, while Cameron Shepherd - who was coach Robbie Deans' first-choice Test fullback last season - still is struggling with the after-effects of the fractured leg he sustained against France in Brisbane last July. And just the balance of resources has forced Ashley-Cooper to play centre or wing for the Brumbies this year. But while Gerrard admitted he would jump at the chance to add to his tally of 23 Test caps, he is making plans on the premise that Deans once again will not require him for the Wallabies.
"It's not that I have any ill-feelings or anything like that but my wife Larisa and I have a young family, with two kids, five and three, and we've always wanted to give them the experience of living in a different culture," Gerrard said.
"Heck, I've always wanted to experience living in a different culture.
"We've looked at a few clubs in England, France and Japan and looked at the pros and cons of each country. I'm only 26. I'm in a good position to further my career. It's a great opportunity. I'd probably only miss one or two seasons and then come back. I'd still only be 28.
"Do I burn my chances of playing for my country again? Possibly. But I'm definitely supportive of the young players coming through."
Gerrard has kept the Australian Rugby Union informed of his plans and while he is hoping the Wallabies selectors come back to him with an enticing reason to defer his overseas sabbatical, he will not hold off on his decision on the off-chance his phone might ring.
"I'm going to look out for my family," he said.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html
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Originally Posted by The InnFORCEr
CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!! 
... his days are numbered...
