Craig Gower
Craig Gower (born 29 April 1978) is an Italian Australian former professional rugby footballer of the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He is a dual-code rugby international, having played rugby league for Australia, and rugby union for Italy. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian Kangaroos representative halfback or hooker, he played in the National Rugby League for Sydney club Penrith Panthers (whom he captained to victory in the 2003 NRL Premiership). Gower then switched rugby union, playing for French Top 14 side Bayonne, and through grandparentage represented Italy. He returned to rugby league with the London Broncos of Super League and then finished his playing career with one more National Rugby League season at the Newcastle Knights.
Background
Of partial Italian descent, Gower was born in Penrith, New South Wales, Gower played his junior football for the Colyton-Mt Druitt Colts before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.
Rugby league career
In Round 11 of the 1996 ARL season Gower made his ARL debut for the Panthers against the Gold Coast Chargers. Gower made his representative debut in his second season in first-grade when still aged only eighteen. He was selected in the Australian Super League side for the ANZAC Test against New Zealand in 1997. He appeared in both Super League Tests against New Zealand and made the end of year Super League tour to Great Britain, playing in all three Tests in England at halfback. Following the re-unification of Australian rugby league, Gower debuted for New South Wales in the 1999 State of Origin series. He was selected for the ANZAC Test that year but was dismissed following a disciplinary incident. However he was selected for the Australian team to compete in the end of season 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against New Zealand he played at hooker in the Kangaroos' 22–20 victory.
