FALLEN NRL star Greg Bird may be forced to go from a $350,000 a season contract to playing for "a cut lunch'' this year.

Bird could make a shock return to the football field playing club rugby, with at least half a dozen Sydney rugby clubs expressing interest in the fallen NRL star. Clubs contacted by The Daily Telegraph indicated they could offer Bird a lifeline to save his career.

NSW Rugby CEO Jim L'Estrange said the former Sharks star was not a suspended player and there was nothing to stop rugby teams signing him: "If there is any suspension in rugby league then that would carry over to rugby union so he wouldn't be eligible to play rugby union for any of our clubs.''

He emphasised the NSW Waratahs had no interest in
www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 23,00.html

FALLEN NRL star Greg Bird may be forced to go from a $350,000 a season contract to playing for "a cut lunch'' this year.

Bird could make a shock return to the football field playing club rugby, with at least half a dozen Sydney rugby clubs expressing interest in the fallen NRL star. Clubs contacted by The Daily Telegraph indicated they could offer Bird a lifeline to save his career.

NSW Rugby CEO Jim L'Estrange said the former Sharks star was not a suspended player and there was nothing to stop rugby teams signing him: "If there is any suspension in rugby league then that would carry over to rugby union so he wouldn't be eligible to play rugby union for any of our clubs.''

He emphasised the NSW Waratahs had no interest in
www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 23,00.html

A NEW twist has emerged in the Greg Bird saga, with French rugby league powerhouse Catalans the latest club interested in picking up the pieces of his career.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that Bird's management has been in discussions with the Super League club, in a bid to gain a backdoor entry to the competition.

The move is intended for Bird to bypass visa restrictions that have blocked him from entering the UK and taking up a three-year deal with English Super League club Bradford.
www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html

A NEW twist has emerged in the Greg Bird saga, with French rugby league powerhouse Catalans the latest club interested in picking up the pieces of his career.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that Bird's management has been in discussions with the Super League club, in a bid to gain a backdoor entry to the competition.

The move is intended for Bird to bypass visa restrictions that have blocked him from entering the UK and taking up a three-year deal with English Super League club Bradford.
www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html

bird is playing this weekend BANISHED Cronulla star Greg Bird last night finally broke his silence about a controversial move to France by declaring: "I was over the constant harassment in Australia."
Bird, 25, yesterday modelled his new Catalans jumper in the southern French city of Perpignan and is set to debut for the club on Sunday morning (AEDT) against Castleford in Super League.

Angry at his critics yet excited at playing again, Bird opened up to The Daily Telegraph, saying from France: "I'm just relieved to be over here and back in a football environment and back around a team again. I just want to play footy again.

"I'm enjoying it over here away from the constant harassment. I was over the judgmental people (in Australia).

www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html

bird is playing this weekend BANISHED Cronulla star Greg Bird last night finally broke his silence about a controversial move to France by declaring: "I was over the constant harassment in Australia."
Bird, 25, yesterday modelled his new Catalans jumper in the southern French city of Perpignan and is set to debut for the club on Sunday morning (AEDT) against Castleford in Super League.

Angry at his critics yet excited at playing again, Bird opened up to The Daily Telegraph, saying from France: "I'm just relieved to be over here and back in a football environment and back around a team again. I just want to play footy again.

"I'm enjoying it over here away from the constant harassment. I was over the judgmental people (in Australia).

www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html

FORMER NRL star Greg Bird was "the victim" when he allegedly assaulted a young woman in a Cronulla nightclub, Sutherland Local Court heard yesterday.

The 25-year-old, who on Thursday flew in from France where he is playing for the Catalans rugby league team, had his one common assault charge upgraded to five charges but believes the evidence of three security guards and security video will clear him.

"Three security officers are able not only to give evidence, but to give evidence to the effect that he was the victim in this matter," his solicitor Patrick Conaghan told the court.

Gallery: A portrait of Greg Bird

www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 21,00.html

FORMER NRL star Greg Bird was "the victim" when he allegedly assaulted a young woman in a Cronulla nightclub, Sutherland Local Court heard yesterday.

The 25-year-old, who on Thursday flew in from France where he is playing for the Catalans rugby league team, had his one common assault charge upgraded to five charges but believes the evidence of three security guards and security video will clear him.

"Three security officers are able not only to give evidence, but to give evidence to the effect that he was the victim in this matter," his solicitor Patrick Conaghan told the court.

Gallery: A portrait of Greg Bird

www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 21,00.html