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http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/stor...5001023,00.html
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The rise and fall of Greg Bird. From league NSW rep, International at 300k+ a season to park union in Sydney. Good luck to the prick.
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BLOCKED at every turn from playing rugby league this season, fallen NRL star Greg Bird will instead play park rugby with his mates in the Shire this season.
The former State of Origin and Cronulla Sharks star has been thrown a lifeline by the Southern Districts Rugby Club and is set to play for them in this year's Tooheys New Shute Shield.
"It's not about Greg Bird signing to play with Southern Districts, it's about a young bloke who is going through a pretty difficult time having the opportunity to have a bit of fun with a few of his mates," Souths rugby manager Max Currie said last night.
It was those friends who approached Bird and convinced him to join them at the club.
"They said come down and have a bash with us," Currie said.
"He lives in the area and it is about giving the bloke something to do in a team environment. The club is conscious of his situation and encouraged the idea of his mates getting him along."
# Special section: Follow the Greg Bird story so far
# Picture gallery: Greg Bird and his Sharkette
Money has not been discussed, but if Bird played first grade he could pick up $200 to $300 a game - the same amount as the rest of the team.
NRL boss David Gallop had no problems with Bird playing club rugby.
"Greg is facing serious criminal charges but playing some sport will keep him occupied and could be good for him," Gallop said.
NSW Rugby CEO Jim L'Estrange said the Souths board had obviously thought long and hard about the decision.
"They obviously think it is the right decision for the club," L'Estrange said yesterday.
Bird will spend Tuesday and Thursday night's at Forshaw Rugby Park in Sylvania with amateur players after they have finished a day's work. Currie believes Bird would play in the No. 10 or 12 jumper, but said it was not about him starting on a rugby career and there are no guarantees he will play first grade.
News of Bird's future came after The Daily Telegraph revealed this week that Souths were one of half a dozen premiership rugby clubs who indicated they may have been prepared to offer Bird an opportunity to keep playing football this season.
Southern Districts have formed a partnership with the Southern Sharks rugby league team, a feeder club for Bird's former club NRL Cronulla. Part of the deal is they will be able to swap players between codes, but Currie said Bird playing in the league team was not an option.
Since his release from Cronulla Bird has been in limbo. His bid to continue his career in the English Super League with Bradford was scuttled when he could not get a work visa for the UK.[/b]
The rise and fall of Greg Bird. From league NSW rep, International at 300k+ a season to park union in Sydney. Good luck to the prick.
