An unflattering Wikipedia entry almost scuppered Craig Gower's international rugby ambitions in 2008, but Italy coach Nick Mallett said he would consider promoting the former NRL star to his Test side this season provided he proves his hard-drinking days are behind him.
Mallett initially turned to Wikipedia to research Gower, and was aghast to note the majority of the Australian's profile fell under the sub-category, "Controversy", detailing his numerous brushes with officialdom in Australia including exposing himself to a female Irish tourist after he'd had a few in a Coogee bar.
"I had a look through Wikipedia, and he's obviously had a very chequered past," Mallett says. "He seemed to have been in a lot of trouble in rugby league, and his disciplinary record didn't look good at all." Gower was keen to convince Mallett that he had turned a new leaf. "[The Wikipedia entry] might not make for good reading, but that's all behind me now," Gower said. "I'm dead keen to play Test rugby, and I am looking forward to letting Nick know just that."
By 2009 Mallett revealed he now intends to build his World Cup campaign around the former NRL star. Given Gower's lack of experience and the communication problems he faced with his new Italian teammates, Gower showed he could develop into one of the game's most dominant five-eighths by the time the 2011 World Cup comes around but says he still has a lot to learn. "I don't want to get ahead of myself."
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