Rugby: Gower helping Italy to raise World Cup sights

Craig Gower's attacking style, honed in the NRL, is attracting attention in union circles. Photo / Getty Images

From Australian league wild child to Italian rugby union saviour - it's been quite the metamorphosis for Craig Gower.

The 31-year-old's influence has been heralded by both sides ahead of Saturday's test against the All Blacks, with Azzurri coach Nick Mallett perhaps the biggest convert to the attacking Gower style at first five-eighths.

Mallett reckons Italy at last have a classy sort of footballer needed to dominate games after years of one-dimensional figures in the blue No 10 jersey.

Two quality outings on debut in this month's tests against the Wallabies have convinced Mallett the former Australian league halfback and skipper is the right man to guide Italian fortunes at the 2011 World Cup.

The coach is pleased he went against his gut instinct.

Upon first learning Gower was eligible for Italy, Mallett was unimpressed when he logged on to the Wikipedia website and read of some unsavoury incidents near the end of his league career.

Most notable was at a charity golf event in 2005 when he groped the teenage daughter of league legend Wayne Pearce, costing himself the Penrith captaincy of four years and a A$30,000 fine.

Mallett needed convincing that Gower would not be a bad influence and spoke to officials at French club Bayonne, where the former league halfback moved in 2007.

They reported a clean behaviour record and Mallett took a punt on converting a player who had spent most of his short French club career in the midfield.

Italy winger Kaine Robertson was impressed by how smoothly Gower had made the transition in the tests at Canberra and Melbourne.

"We've had good kickers over the years but we've never had an attacking first five-eighths," New Zealander Robertson said.

"But when you've a first five-eighths who attacks the line, it puts pressure on defensive teams. With him in there, I think it will help us a lot going into the World Cup. He's a very good find."

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said his side would be far more conscious about the Italy attacking game than in recent one-sided tests between the nations.

"He [Gower] was a playmaker in league and he's brought a lot of that to his game."

Gower, whose grandfather Emilio came from the Umbrian town of Gubbio, will mark Luke McAlister in what shapes as a lively clash between two strong defenders who do not mind attacking the line.

While he admits he has plenty to learn about the role, Gower said the change of codes and country had given him a new lease of life.

"Obviously this is the next challenge for me and I think this has been the best move for me."

- NZPA