Melbourne Rebels want Gasnier, not Folau

The Melbourne Rebels insist they're only chasing one player with ties to rugby
league and that's Mark Gasnier.
The new Super 15 rugby franchise has been linked with Brisbane Broncos star Israel
Folau.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Broncos in 2009 after two successful years with the
Melbourne Storm where he broke try-scoring records, has reportedly been given a
deadline of the end of April to re-commit to his NRL club.
Brisbane signed the Test flyer on a four-year deal that has a two-year option in the
player's favour and want Folau to pledge his loyalty.
Although he moved back to Brisbane to be closer to his tight-knit family, it's
believed he misses Melbourne.
While the Storm NRL club, already under serious salary cap pressure, couldn't afford
him, the new Super side, who will join the expanded competition next year, could.
However coach Rod Macqueen said the only league player, former or otherwise the
Rebels were pursuing, was former Test representative Gasnier, who is currently
playing rugby in France.
"We haven't had any discussions with Israel Folau," Macqueen told AAP.
"At the moment we're concentrating on Gasnier so from our point of view, if we can
get him we'll be very happy.
Macqueen said the Rebels hadn't discounted recruiting league players who were
interested in a code switch, but weren't actively pursuing any current NRL players.
The World Cup-winning coach said the Rebels weren't expecting a decision from
Gasnier until he had finished his negotiations with the Australian Rugby Union, who
he would also sign with.
It's believed the ARU has offered the former Dragons captain a largely
incentive-based contract, which will mean a big pay day if he makes the Wallabies
squad for next year's World Cup in New Zealand.
Gasnier has spoken of his desire to play in the tournament and prove himself on the
international stage, as he did in rugby league.
However his cashed-up French club Stade Francais is reportedly making it difficult
for him to leave, where the centre is settled with his French wife, Claudine, who he
married last month, by offering a massive deal.
The ARU hasn't set any deadlines for Gasnier to declare where his future lies.