Official: Mark Gasnier to Quit NRL and play Rugby Union

Announced today at a Dragons press conference, NRL star Mark Gasnier will quit the NRL to play Rugby Union in France from 2009, after 3rd party payment portions of his NRL playing contract were not honoured in recent times.

Gasnier confirmed the move wasn't motivated by money, but explained he has been missing out on 1/3 of his wages because of non-payment by an unnamed entity.

The Dragons however will have a tonne of salary cap freed for their assault on the NRL premiership next year under Wayne Bennett as head coach.