Mark Gasnier was born on July 19, 1981 and raised in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He is one of Australia’s popular young professional soccer players. He plays for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League.
He is also known for being the nephew of the famous Rugby League legend, Reg Gasnier. Reg Gasnier is named as one of the greatest players of the 20th century. After his career as a soccer player, he also became a soccer coach.
Mark Gasnier played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1998 and 1999, while attending high school at the famous Peakhurst High School. He then toured New Zealand with the Australian Schoolboys in 1998.
Gasnier made his junior rugby league debut playing for club Renown United in the St George district. Mark Gasnier made his first grade debut for the Dragons in round 8 of the 2000 season against the Newcastle Knights and made his international debut in a 2001 test match against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls scoring a try in each match.
In 2004, Mark Gasnier was dropped from the New South Wales State of Origin squad due to a harsh and controversial phone message he sent.
In 2005, after proclaiming himself the best center on the team, he won the Dally M Center of the Year. In that same year, it was reported that Mark Gasnier might progress to rugby union. Gasnier entertained highly publicized meetings with New South Wales Waratahs manager Ewen McKenzie and Wallaby manager John Connolly. However, he ultimately signed a new one-year contract, with additional one-year options for the next four years with the St George Illawarra Dragons. In 2006, he again won the Dally M Center of the Year.
In early 2007 it was reported that Mark Gasnier, along with Jason Ryles and Ben Hornby would captain the St George Illawarra Dragons. Gasnier was moved up to five-eighth for the Dragons, even though he was famous for being the center.
After tackling Nigel Vagana in the Charity Shield pre-season finals, Mark Gasnier sadly tore his pectoral muscle. As a consequence, he was unable to play until July. Gasnier made a great return to the St. George Illawarra Dragons on July 21 in the fifth eighth position. Fortunately, the team won against the Penrith Panthers by a score of 38 to 20.
He was chosen to play for the Australian Kangaroos in October against the New Zealand Kiwis in Wellington.
Gasnier became the sole captain of the Dragons for the 2008 season. He returned to the center position with Matt Cooper.
He is now chosen to join the New South Wales rugby league team for the 2011 State of Origin series.
