Craig Gower to represent Italy at rugby league World Cup - and Campese may be joining him

FORMER Penrith star Craig Gower will represent Italy at next year's rugby league World Cup - and could be joined by Canberra's Terry Campese.

FORMER Penrith and Australia star Craig Gower will represent Italy at next year's rugby league World Cup - and could be joined by Canberra's Terry Campese.

Gower left Sydney yesterday after a 12-day visit to start off-season training with the London Broncos in England's Super League.

Before leaving, Gower assured Italy's World Cup media manager Peter Peters that he was eager to represent the Azzurri next year.

With Gower now a definite starter, Italy will turn their attention to injured Raiders star Campese.

Terry Campese

A delegation will head to Queanbeyan in the next few weeks to sound out Campese, who has played little football over the past two seasons because of injury.

A Gower-Campese scrumbase combination would be a wonderful coup for Italy.

Gower, 34, returned to rugby league this year after four seasons of rugby union in France and Italy and the ex-Panther was delighted with the professional approach Italy was taking.

Anthony Minichiello

"They will have a powerful side led by Anthony Minichiello and I want to be part of it. I am putting up both hands to say I am keen and available," Gower said.

Italian coach Carlo Napolitano is ecstatic to have Gower's experience for the Cup campaign.

"Our vital one, six, seven and nine will be up there with any in the tournament," Napolitano said.