The Time Of My Life

Sun Herald

Sunday September 7, 2008

Adrian Proszenko

It's all bon - even if the golf tales are untrue, Craig Gower, the first NRL player to switch to French rugby, tells Adrian Proszenko.

The Sun-Herald: You're into your second season of rugby union. How are you enjoying it?Craig Gower: It's fine. It's my second season, so I'm still starting out. Obviously the more experience I get, the better I'll get. There's new rules this year and we're all starting out.

SH: You were the first high-profile league player to go over to play union in France. A couple of others have followed. Do you expect more to get on board?

CG: To be honest, I don't really care whether they get on board or not. It's a decision for them to make, they're grown men. If they find an opportunity to play here, good luck to them.

SH: How are you finding the lifestyle?

CG: The lifestyle's great. We live in a great place [in Biarritz] and we're winning games, so it's very enjoyable. The sun's out, life's good ... [My wife] is having a ball.

SH: There's talk you get to play golf in Morocco when your side plays a weak opponent.

CG: That's not true, we don't do that at all. That's not right ... you do get a couple of weeks off here and there [to travel] if you can get some time off training.

SH: What's the standard of the competition like?

CG: The standard is fine. There are international players from all over the world here, so it's definitely a good standard.

SH: Is it easier for a rugby league back to make the transition than a forward?

CG: It would be. The game is a lot more technical for the forwards.

SH: In hindsight, do you wish you made the transition earlier?

CG: Not really, I've had some good experiences back home.

SH: Which position are you playing this season?

CG: I'm playing 12 [inside centre].

SH: Is that your preference?

CG: I suppose not, but I'm still learning and enjoying it.

SH: There were some suggestions that it might be possible to play union in France and also make yourself available for some NRL games. Logistically, do you think that could be possible?

CG: You couldn't do both because the seasons coincide with each other.

SH: Which other NRL players do you think could make it over there?

CG: Mate, who knows? It's a hypothetical question.

SH: Have other NRL players interested in playing union overseas sounded you out about your experiences?

CG: No. At the end of the day it's not up to me. Some people might like it, but I can only really comment on what my experiences are.

SH: The money must have been an incentive, but is it fair to say the lifestyle and the need for a change were the factors which made the move most appealing?

CG: Lifestyle-wise, it's great. We're in a great spot. It might be harder if you were at one of the teams that is further inland. I think people might be exaggerating a bit when they talk about the money here.

SH: Is it as physical as playing in the NRL?

CG: No. You don't have to make as many tackles. The training is a bit more physical, you actually do a bit more.

SH: How's your French?

CG: It's taking a while but we're getting there.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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