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Craig Gower
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Craig Gower is an Australian rugby league player who is currently the halfback of the Penrith Panthers.
A junior of the Colyton club, Gower is recognised as both an extremely talented hooker and a world-class half-back with an excellent kicking game, a good perspective of play and passing game and a tough competitive spirit which creates consistent performances[citation needed].
Gower was the captain of the Panthers between 2002 and 2005, the highlight of which was the victory of Penrith over the Sydney Roosters in the 2003 National Rugby League grand final.
He has many representative appearances, including NSW and Australian places. He made his test debut in 1999 as hooker but has since moved to half-back. He received the last remaining spot on the interchange bench in State of Origin III 2005 after Craig Wing was unable to play due to injury.
Gower was named Australia's captain for the Test match against France on the 2005 Tri-Nations Tour. Gower is the 2nd Penrith Panthers player to captain his country after Brad Fittler achieved the honour in 1995 before leaving the Panthers.
Current speculation suggests that Gower harassed the 17 year old daughter of former rugby league great Wayne Pearce after a charity golf day. It is believed he was drunk. Gower was fined $30,000 plus a suspended $70,000 fine and lost the captaincy. Tony Puletua was appointed to succeed Gower as captain for the 2006 season.
On February 3, 2006 it was reported that Gower was seeking an immediate release from his contract with the Panthers, reportedly in protest at the penalty imposed by the Panthers. These rumours were squashed by Gower upon his return from his honeymoon. Gower is contracted until the end of the 2009 NRL season.
On February 11th 2007 Craig Gower was alleged to have kissed and then bit another man at the Peppermint Lounge nightclub that turned into a brawl. Gower was cleared of any wrong doing a few days after the club viewed CCT footage and heard other eye-witness accounts and on February 22nd 2007 he was announced on the official Penrith Panthers website as co-captain in 2007 along with fellow players Tony Puletua and Luke Priddis.