Brumbies or Biarritz for Gaz
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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225829341389
Bret Harris and Brent Read From: The Australian February 12, 2010 12:00AM
THE Brumbies have emerged as contenders for rugby league convert Mark Gasnier if he returns to Australia.
But he will require a significant top-up from the ARU to counter a big offer from France.
Gasnier, who has been playing for French club Stade Francais since switching codes two years ago, has been linked with Super 15 expansion franchise Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds.
Rebels head coach Rod Macqueen met Gasnier in Sydney recently and has been open about his interest in the former St George Illawarra star, while Reds coach Ewen McKenzie recruited him to Stade Francais and now wants to take him to the Reds.
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan revealed yesterday that Gasnier's management had been in contact with the ACT side.
The Brumbies are likely to be looking for a new outside centre to replace former Australia captain Stirling Mortlock, who is expected to join the Rebels.
While Gasnier and Mortlock are both primarily outside centres, they could be accommodated in the same team, as Gasnier can play on the wing and Mortlock is able to play inside centre.
An informed source in Melbourne with strong contacts in both rugby codes told The Australian the likely outcome would be Mortlock moving to Melbourne and Gasnier replacing him in Canberra.
Asked whether the Brumbies would be interested in Gasnier, Fagan said: "Possibly. His manager contacted us to see if we were interested. We would be interested if he decides he wants to come back to Australia.
"He needs to have that discussion with the ARU first.
"If he is coming back, we'll sit down and have a discussion, but we haven't formed an opinion yet."
The size of the ARU top-up is expected to be a key factor in the negotiations, as it is believed Gasnier has received a lucrative offer from French club Biarritz.
The Super rugby franchises generally do not pay players more than $220,000, which means Wallabies have their contracts topped-up by the ARU.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill supports the Super 14 teams' attempts to recruit Gasnier, but the size of a top-up would probably depend on whether Test coach Robbie Deans regarded him as a contender for a place in next year's World Cup squad.
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Originally Posted by Burgs
