St George Illawarra Dragons fans and officials have been saddened by the death of rugby league ‘‘Immortal’’ and international player, Reg Gasnier.
The six-time premiership winner died peacefully on the evening of Sunday May 11, at a Miranda nursing home; it would have been his 75th birthday today.
Gasnier has been of ill-health recently and has been living in a Sutherland Shire nursing home. He had a a series of operations to remove tumors from his brain and neck in 2010. In that same year he had a bronze statue of himself unveiled at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The ‘‘prince of centres’’ — born and raised in St George — began his rugby league career with local club Renown United before he became a Dragon in 1959.
He scored 127 tries in 125 games during his nine-year career.
After just five first-grade games, Gasnier became a NSW representative and played 16 times and scored 15 tries in 1959-67.
National honours, including the captaincy quickly followed, with 39 games and 28 tries across the same time period before a broken leg in a European Tour match against a French provincial team prematurely ended his career at 28 years.
Gasnier was chosen in 1981 as one of Australia’s initial four post-war “Immortals” of rugby league alongside Clive Churchill, John Raper and Bob Fulton.
He was inducted into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame in 1985, received the Order of Australia (AM) in 1989 and was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2002.
During Australian rugby league’s centenary celebrations in 2008, Gasnier was named in the Australian and NSW teams of the century.
The Men of League Foundation chairman, Ron Coote, said Reg Gasnier had been a remarkable player.
“The whole rugby league community is mourning the loss of a talented player and a great bloke,’’ said the former Souths and Australian lock.
“Reg really was remarkable. St George fans got it right when they called him ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’. He could do things on the field that were out of the reach of most players.
‘‘I was lucky enough to play with him during the 1967 Kangaroo tour to England.
‘‘When I was a kid, I admired his fantastic effort and the many great tries he scored for St George, NSW and Australia. I was in awe. It was a thrill to join him on tour.
‘‘He was the greatest player to play the game.’’
Coote said the foundation had sent condolences to Gasnier’s wife Maureen, son Peter, daughter Kellie, and other family members including nephew and Men of League board member and former St George Dragons centre, Mark Gasnier.
Gasnier is survived by his wife Maureen, son Peter and daughter in-law Angelique; daughter Kellie and son in-law Peter. and grandchildren Sheri, Jack, Bryce, Erin and Mitchell.
Reg Gasnier’s funeral will be at 2pm on Thursday at Woronora Cemetery’s south chapel crematorium.
Doust says Gasnier was a ‘local hero’
St George Illawarra Dragons will organise a special tribute for Reg Gasnier.
CEO Peter Doust said at a press conference today that the club was saddened by his death.
‘‘We send all our condolences from our Red V family to the Gasnier family,’’ Mr Doust said.
‘‘The club will discuss a special tribute with the Gasnier family at the appropriate time.
‘‘He was a real gentleman and someone who did so much for the big Red V.
‘‘He was a local hero; a legend of the game.’’
Doust said Gasnier had given so much to the Dragons and rugby league over many years at club, state and international level.
Baird pays tribute to Reg Gasnier
NSW Premier Mike Baird has paid tribute to rugby league great Reg Gasnier who died last night at a Miranda nursing home.
“Reg Gasnier was a true legend of rugby league and St George Dragons,” Mr Baird said.
“Even those who never saw him play have heard about his genius on the rugby league field and the reverence with which he was held off it.
“As one of rugby league’s original Immortals and a key member of the great St George teams of the 1960s, Reg Gasnier’s talents will still be spoken about many generations from now.
“A St George junior, Reg played a then record 39 Tests for Australia and in 2008 was named in the Australian rugby league team of the century.
“Rugby league and the people of NSW have lost a true gentleman and giant of this state’s sporting landscape.
“On behalf of the state government, I send my condolences to Reg Gasnier’s family and friends.”
Do you have memories of Reg Gasnier? Click on the comment link below to leave a tribute to him or a message for his family.
