Reg Gasnier

Reginald William Gasnier (12 May 1939 – 11 May 2014) was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the St. George Dragons from 1959 to 1967 and represented Australia in a then record 36 Tests and three World Cup games. He was the captain of the national side on eight occasions between 1962 and 1967.

Gasnier was included on the National Rugby League's list of 100 greatest players and the honorary Team of the Century. He is a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

Early life Reginald William Gasnier was born in the Southern Sydney suburb of Mortdale on 12 May 1939. At Sutherland Intermediate High School, Gasnier excelled at both rugby and cricket. He later attended Sydney Technical High School ("Tech") in the St. George area suburb of Bexley.

Gasnier was selected in the NSW schoolboys side aged 13, to play in a curtain raiser to the 1952 Australia and New Zealand Third Test.

Career Gasnier has been described as the ultimate all-round rugby league player. Teammate Keith Barnes recalled: "He had everything, a body swerve, speed and acceleration. He could stand you up or run around you. There was no better sight in rugby league than when he threw his head back and left them standing." Dave Bolton, who played against Gasnier in international play remarked: "He was a great player. Along with Eric Ashton the best centre I’ve ever seen. He was very fast and very deceptive. You never knew what he would do next. He'd be running straight and then veer left or right."

St. George Dragons In 1957, Gasnier, aged 18, focused his attention on rugby league, signing with the local St. George Dragons for the 1958 season. After only six games in third grade, he was selected for his first grade debut, and after only five first grade games he was selected for New South Wales. He scored 15 tries in 16 games for his state team. He finished his career with the Dragons in 1967, with 127 tries and 20 goals in 125 appearances and 6 premierships. Reg Gasnier is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever St. George Dragons players.

National team In 1959, Gasnier moved up from reserve to Test team, making his international debut for Australia against New Zealand in the 1st Test of 1959 in Sydney. In 1960, he played in World Cup finals as a member of the national team. He is listed on the Australian Players Register as Kangaroo No. 339.

Gasnier became Australia's youngest ever captain in 1962, when he led Australia against England at 23 years and 28 days. The following season, he toured Europe as a member of the National Team for a second time.

He finished his international career as Australia's most capped player, with a total of 39 caps (36 Test and 3 World Cup), a record that remained until Mal Meninga broke it in 1992. Gasnier scored 28 tries for Australia and captained the side on eight occasions.

Honours In 1981, Gasnier was selected as one of the initial four post-war "Immortals" of the Australian game along with Clive Churchill, Johnny Raper and Bob Fulton. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1989. He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000, and the Centenary Medal in 2001.

In 1989 he was awarded Life Membership of the St. George Dragons club.

In 2007, Gasnier was selected by a panel of experts at centre in the "Team of the 50s". In February 2008, he was selected as one of Australia's 100 Greatest Players by the National Rugby League and Australian Rugby League to celebrate the code's centenary year. Gasnier was also named as one of the centres, along with Mal Meninga, in Australian rugby league's 17 player Team of the Century in April 2008. New South Wales also named Gasnier to their team of the century.

A tribute to the life of Reg Gasnier was held at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on 5 July 2014 and was attended by over 12,000 people. Many of his former team-mates attended the hour long ceremony including three Immortals; Graeme Langlands, Wally Lewis and Johnny Raper. The late Clive Churchill was represented by his wife Joyce and the late Arthur Beetson was represented by his son Mark. Other notable former players attended including Eddie Lumsden, Johnny Riley, Johnny King, Dave Brown, Bob Bugden, Grahame Bowen, Tommy Ryan, Brian Graham and Billy Smith. The Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was noted broadcaster Ray Warren who read tributes to Reg Gasnier provided by Ian Heads, Robert Raftery and David Middleton plus historical photographs and video footage of Gasnier's career were shown to the crowd. A plaque is erected near the north western sideline of Jubilee Oval where Gasnier showed his electrifying skill and talent during his sparkling rugby league career. The plaque was unveiled by Gasnier's wife Maureen and children, Kellie and Peter. On 20 July 2022, Gasnier was named in the St. George Dragons District Rugby League Clubs team of the century at centre.