Free agent Gower on lookout for NRL club Adrian Proszenko
April 3, 2011
CRAIG GOWER has spoken for the first time about the prospect of returning to the NRL, saying that rugby league ''is in my blood''.
Gower has been playing rugby union for Bayonne in France's Top 14 competition since 2008 but is officially a free agent as of May 7. The premiership-winning halfback must weigh up whether to press for selection for Italy in the Rugby World Cup or add to the 238 games he played during an illustrious NRL career.
''I don't know about unfinished business but at the end of the day I'll look at options if they are there [in league],'' Gower told The Sun-Herald yesterday. ''Obviously I've been there for a number of years and it's in my blood. I left for a new challenge, that was it. It obviously was a great game and still is.''
Gower's manager Greg Willett will begin scouring options for the dual international this week.
''I feel I've got a couple more years in me for sure, the body is in pretty good nick,'' Gower said. ''Obviously I had an operation late last year but the knee is coming along well.
''I'll just see how things go. There's been nothing put forward to me. At the end of the day there needs to be an opportunity. I'm on a plane back to France on the 26th of April.
''My last game is on the 7th of May and after that I'm a free agent.''
Gower expects to eventually resettle in Sydney but the timing will depend on the opportunities on offer. ''[France] has been fantastic, we've had a great time and enjoyed the lifestyle,'' Gower said.
''[Sydney] is where we're from and I'm sure we'll come back here but I'm not exactly sure when. If there is an offer on the table, then obviously I have to make a decision.''
The unexpected availability of an experienced playmaker as soon as next month is sure to pique the interest of NRL clubs. South Sydney halves Chris Sandow and John Sutton are both off contract at the end of the season, although their recent form would increase their
chances of being retained.
Gower is close to Rabbitohs coach John Lang and CEO Shane Richardson, the trio enjoying premiership success at Penrith in 2003. Parramatta have been mooted as potential suitors given they attempted to sign veteran playmakers Trent Barrett and Matt Orford in the off-season. However, it's understood that Gower isn't on the Eels' radar.
One player who is a Parramatta priority is Melbourne winger Matt Duffie. As revealed in The Sun-Herald last month, the Eels are desperate to bolster their outside back stocks and rate the 20-year-old highly. Duffie was yesterday given a tour of the Eels' facilities by coach Stephen Kearney, with whom he has a relationship from their time at the Storm. Melbourne have tabled a three-year offer to keep him in Victoria, but it's understood that the Eels are prepared to pay more for the same tenure. Duffie was a guest at Parramatta Stadium during the Eels-Cowboys match last night.
