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ANTHONY Minichiello admits the prospect of playing for Italy in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand is a tempting lure to switch codes.
Minichiello, who has played fullback and wing for NRL team Sydney Roosters since 2000, is eligible to play for Italy because of his Italian heritage. Out of contract at the end of the year, Minichiello is weighing up whether to stay with the Roosters or to have a go at rugby union. The Italians have a strong forward pack and a clever playmaker in former rugby league star Craig Gower, but they lack strike power out wide.
"That's definitely an avenue I might look at," Minichiello said at a joint Easter weekend promotion between the Roosters and the NSW Waratahs in Sydney yesterday. "I've got an Italian passport. That would probably work well with them, wouldn't it?
"It's a big year (2011), isn't it? If negotiations go down that path, it could be a lure. I do come off contract this year, but I'm going to keep my options open and see what happens." Minichiello, 30, has been in contact with Gower, who plays for French club Bayonne, and his former Roosters teammate Craig Wing, who has signed with Japanese team NTT Communications.
"Craig Gower, the last time he came to Sydney I had a chat to him," Minichiello said. "He is loving it overseas. He's doing well. Craig Wing's in Sydney now, actually. It's their off-season.
"He's living outside Tokyo and he's fitting in there. It's a completely different life to Sydney.
"He hasn't played a game yet. It will be interesting to see how he likes it over there."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225848235222
surprise surprise fitzy never stopped tackling!
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