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MrCharisma
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A HOLLYWOOD ransom has been placed on Craig Gower's NRL comeback, with his French rugby side Bayonne declaring there will be no release unless Russell Crowe visits the seaside village.
Bayonne officials are aware of rumours linking Gower to a cameo return to Australia later this year, and recently considered what they would demand in exchange for a temporary release.
Given they are loath to let their star recruit go, the club's management placed the high price on Gower's return.
Realising Crowe's connection with South Sydney, Bayonne decided only a personal visit from the Gladiator himself would suffice.
"They want Russell Crowe to come to the town because it's a tourist town and it would put Bayonne on the map," a source close to Gower's camp said.
"It was something that Bayonne suggested.
"If Gower were to be released, the club would want compensation and that's what they suggested."
"That's the only way they are ever going to release Craig Gower to play in the NRL this year."
The French off-season runs from June to September, meaning that Gower would only be available for about 10 weeks.
His French-based manager Pierre Vandome was in Sydney this week but could not be contacted for comment last night.
Crowe, however, is highly unlikely to reciprocate and Souths have not entertained approaching the 29-year-old. His Rabbitohs partner Peter Holmes a Court said the proposal was "unrealistic".
"People have got to understand that we can't and we don't guarantee them Russell Crowe," Holmes a Court said.
Gower has previously been linked with the Bulldogs, but his Australian-based manager Greg Willett yesterday conceded a release from Bayonne would be "extremely difficult".
If Gower is to leave Bayonne during the off-season it will now most likely be to English rugby club Saracens, alongside former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. It is believed Gower wants to hone his skills at No. 10 ahead of a tilt at the Italian playmaker's role for the Azzuri's upcoming internationals.
DT
Bayonne officials are aware of rumours linking Gower to a cameo return to Australia later this year, and recently considered what they would demand in exchange for a temporary release.
Given they are loath to let their star recruit go, the club's management placed the high price on Gower's return.
Realising Crowe's connection with South Sydney, Bayonne decided only a personal visit from the Gladiator himself would suffice.
"They want Russell Crowe to come to the town because it's a tourist town and it would put Bayonne on the map," a source close to Gower's camp said.
"It was something that Bayonne suggested.
"If Gower were to be released, the club would want compensation and that's what they suggested."
"That's the only way they are ever going to release Craig Gower to play in the NRL this year."
The French off-season runs from June to September, meaning that Gower would only be available for about 10 weeks.
His French-based manager Pierre Vandome was in Sydney this week but could not be contacted for comment last night.
Crowe, however, is highly unlikely to reciprocate and Souths have not entertained approaching the 29-year-old. His Rabbitohs partner Peter Holmes a Court said the proposal was "unrealistic".
"People have got to understand that we can't and we don't guarantee them Russell Crowe," Holmes a Court said.
Gower has previously been linked with the Bulldogs, but his Australian-based manager Greg Willett yesterday conceded a release from Bayonne would be "extremely difficult".
If Gower is to leave Bayonne during the off-season it will now most likely be to English rugby club Saracens, alongside former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. It is believed Gower wants to hone his skills at No. 10 ahead of a tilt at the Italian playmaker's role for the Azzuri's upcoming internationals.
DT
