Gower puts Italy's World Cup cause first

Wed, May 18, 2011, 2:00 AM
AAP
by AAP

Australian-born five eighth Craig Gower insists he is fully focused on playing for Italy at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September and October.

There's been much speculation about the possibility of 33-year-old Gower returning to rugby league in the NRL as he has finished his contract with French rugby union club Bayonne.

But Gower says he's putting Italy's World Cup cause first and where - and what code - he plays after that appears open.

The former league international is recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury which required surgery and ruled him out of Italy's Six Nations tournament campaign early in the year.

"I am completely concentrated on my recovery following the operation on my knee," Gower said.

"My only aim for the moment is to compete for the Azzurro (Italy) shirt in the World Cup in September and October, as long as I am able to physically.

"I'm out of contract with Bayonne and I've left open every door.

"Where I go after that is still undecided but, I repeat, I want to play at the World Cup with the blue (Italy) shirt."

Share
Will Cartwright is one of several capped Australian players in the Aussie Select 7s team for Coral Coast 7s. Photo: World Rugby
Sevens squad members named as Aussie Select 7s touch down in Fiji ahead of Coral Coast 7s
Super Rugby Pacific clubs will fine tune their preparations for the upcoming 2026 season with the schedule of trial games across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji now confirmed. Photo: Getty Images
Full Super Rugby Pacific pre-season fixtures confirmed
'Few new tricks': Force looking for edge in hunt for breakthrough finals berth
Nic Lynagh (left) is excited to link up with brother Tom (right) at the Queensland Reds. Photo: Reds Media Unit
Nic Lynagh: The latest second-generation star following in family footsteps at Ballymore