Mark Gasnier

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Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier on Seven News
Personal information
Full name Mark Gasnier
Date of birth 19 July 1981 (1981-07-19) (age 26)
Place of birth Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height 193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 100 kg (15 st 10 lb)
Nickname(s) Gaz
School(s) Peakhurst High School
Relatives Reg Gasnier (uncle)
Club information
Position(s) Five-eighth, Centre
Current club St George Illawarra Dragons
Youth clubs
Years Club
Renown United
Youth representative teams
1998–1999 Australian Schoolboys
Senior clubs*
Years Club Apps (points)
2000– St George Illawarra Dragons 130 (332)
Representative teams**
2001–
2004–
2001–		 City Origin
New South Wales
Australia
 2 (4)
8 (18)
15 (44)

* Professional club appearances and points
counted for domestic first grade only and
correct as of 01:32, 12 May 2008 (UTC).
** Representative team caps and points correct
as of 01:32, 10 May 2008 (UTC).

Mark Gasnier (born 19 July 1981 in Sydney, NSW) is an Australian rugby league player for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League competition and also a representative player for New South Wales & Australia.

Gasnier played his junior football in the St George District with the Renown United club. He toured New Zealand with the Australian Schoolboys in 1998. Gasnier made his 1st Grade debut for the Dragons in round 8 of the 2000 season against Newcastle Knights and made his International debut in a 2001 Test against the PNG Kumuls. Mark Gasnier is the nephew of Dragons' Immortal Reg Gasnier.

Contents

[edit] 2006

Before the start of the 2006 season, it was rumoured that Mark Gasnier would make a move to rugby union. Gasnier held highly publicised talks with Wallaby Coach John Connolly and New South Wales Waratahs Coach Ewen McKenzie. However he ultimately signed a new five year contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons.

In 2006 he was arguably the premier centre in the game and widely known for his speed and sidestep. His elusiveness and ability to get on the outside of his opposing man is achieved via a combination of a "show of the ball", a shimmy and blistering pace.

[edit] 2007

In early 2007 it was announced that Mark Gasnier, Ben Hornby and Jason Ryles would captain St George Illawarra. Controversially, given his reputation as centre, Gasnier was moved to five-eighth for the Dragons following Trent Barrett's move to the Wigan Warriors. However, Gasnier tore his pectoral muscle tackling Nigel Vagana in the Charity Shield pre-season trial and was unable to play again until July. On July 21st, Gasnier made his long - awaited return to the Dragons, in the five-eighth position, with his team winning 38-20 against the Penrith Panthers.

Despite Gasnier's shortened season, he was selected for the Australian Kangaroos in October to play the New Zealand Kiwis in Wellington. Gasnier spent 24 minutes on the field before being knocked out by a Steve Matai high tackle. Suffering from concussion, Gasnier was unable to participate further in the game.[1]

[edit] 2004 controversy

See also: List of rugby league incidents

In 2004 Gasnier was dropped from the NSW State of Origin team following a complaint that he had made a lewd telephone call to a woman. After a night of heavy drinking he and team-mates Anthony Minichiello, Craig Wing and Craig Fitzgibbon were in a taxi when Mark rang a number on Anthony's mobile phone, leaving a message that he and three other footballers were feeling "toey", and wanted sex. [2]

[edit] 2008

Mark Gasnier has been named sole captain of the Dragons for the current 2008 season. He will pair up with Matt Cooper on the centers. Gasnier was also moved to fullback but injured his calf muscle and was sidelined for one week. He was picked for origin 1 against the Maroons, and helped set up two tries.


[edit] Player Facts

Position Centre Year Started 2000 Contract End 2011 07 Club Dragons Junior Club Renown United Rep Honours City, NSW, Australia Career FG Games 123 Dragons FG Games 123 08 Goal Win the competition and stay injury free Toughest Opponent Matt Ridley What does playing in the centenary Year of Rugby League mean to you? It is great to reflect on the history of the game and honour everybody that has got the game to where it is today. Advise to Young Players Be yourself and put in the hard work. Toughest Team to play against and why? Melbourne Storm but all of them are quality sides Most admired opposition player Petero Civoniceva, Nathan Hindmarsh Who has had the biggest influence on your career My family, Peter Doust, Nathan Brown and Ricky Stuart What are you looking to do post-football? unsure, something challenging What do you enjoy doing outside of football Surfing, spendind time with my family, partner and friends Favourite Saying Wat goes around comes around What is your favourite childhood memory growing up with my brothers Best birthday present you have ever received Home cooked meal Worst birthday present you have ever received an "I owe you" smartest team mate Lagi Setu Favourite Movie Black Diamond What has been the most important lesson you have learned from your parents Too many Favourite band 50 Cent, Chilli Peppers and Frenzal Rhomb Favourite Food Chocolate You have just won a million dollars, how do you spend it? Travel and buy a house Which reality TV show do you think you would last the longest on - Australian Idol, Big Brother, Survivor? None I don't think Favourite holiday destination? New York, South Africa and Paris

[edit] External links

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ "No hard feelings over head-hunt", Fox Sports News, 2007-10-16. Retrieved on 2007-10-22. 
  2. ^ Sydney Telegraph, 21 May, 2004