http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1264&storyid=1061271
I'm too stale to play
By DEAN RITCHIE
March 19, 2004
FORMER Test centre Mark Gasnier has questioned his future in rugby league and has dramatically stood down from St George Illawarra's match against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland tomorrow afternoon.
The Daily Telegraph learned last night that Gasnier, 22, has complained of feeling "stale" with rugby league after being forced to overcome a serious of crippling injuries.
His manager, George Mimis, admitted Gasnier was "confused".
It was initially feared Gansier would walk away from rugby league altogether, just four days after Parramatta centre Jamie Lyon another Test player quit the game.
But after consultation last night with Mimis, Dragons coach Nathan Brown and senior players, it is expected Gasnier will return to training on Monday.
Gasnier, whose uncle Reg is one of the game's greatest players, did not train with the Dragons yesterday in Wollongong.
"My injuries have made me very frustrated," Gasnier told The Daily Telegraph last night.
"But my captain Trent Barrett, the other senior players and my advisers have helped me overcome these issues and I'll be raring to go again next week.
"I just hope to play a sequence of games uninterrupted."
Mimis was in constant contact with his star player yesterday.
"Mark has been frustrated by injury over a period of time," said Mimis.
"That has created confusion in his mind in regards to where he is presently at in the game.
"Due to this, his preparation for this weekend's game against New Zealand has been affected and as such he won't be travelling with the team.
"However in consultation with the club and professional advisers, Mark has overcome these issues and will be ready to train again on Monday morning."
With Gasnier unavailable, Brown is expected to name either David Howell or John Carlaw as the centre replacement.
Another option would be switching Shaun Timmins from lock back to centre.
Brown was unavailable for comment last night.
Gasnier, who made his NRL debut with the Dragons in 2000, is one of the game's most naturally gifted running backs.
The Dragons will be desperately hoping he does return to training on Monday as will the NRL.
Losing Lyon was a blow to the game; losing someone like Gasnier forever would be devastating.
The Dragons lost at home last weekend to Canberra and will start $2.45 outsiders against the Warriors, $1.50 favourites.
The Dragons yesterday announced Integral Energy as the major supporter of the Dragons Development program that benefits more than 100,000 children each year.
Under the new sponsorship arrangement, Integral Energy will become the Dragons Illawarra Community Partner and also be the naming rights sponsor of the Dragons Development Program.
