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Newcastle Knights sign Danny Wicks
By Glenn Jackson
Dragons prop Danny Wicks yesterday agreed to terms for three years with Newcastle as the Knights moved to counter the potential exodus under coach Brian Smith.
While back-rower Reegan Tanner was considering becoming the second Newcastle player to request a release from the Knights mid-season, the club announced late yesterday they had signed Wicks and more Dragons may be set to follow. The club has been strongly linked with Wicks's teammate Jason Ryles, who is also the subject of significant interest from the English Super League.
Wicks has played nine matches this season without setting the world on fire but is considered a player of enormous promise.
Asked whether the signing of Wicks meant the Knights were no longer interested in Ryles, Smith replied: "I wouldn't have thought anybody was off the table, at this stage. We're still in the market for a number of players."
The Knights are also understood to be close to signing controversial Dragons centre Wes Naiqama, who has appealed against a sentence of six months' periodic detention for unlicensed driving.
Other possible Knights targets following the mini clean-out are Parramatta's Justin Tsoulos, Melbourne's Ian Donnelly and Manly's George Rose, who is out for the season with a broken leg.
The Herald understands Tanner is considering asking for a release, opening up an immediate move to North Queensland for the rest of the season.
As revealed in the Herald yesterday, Knights prop Adam Woolnough has signed a three-year deal with Penrith, while teammate Josh Perry is expected to link with Manly early next week. This follows fellow forward Clint Newton quitting the club this week and joining Melbourne for the rest of the season, citing differences with Smith.
The Cowboys have suffered horrific injuries in the forwards, losing Luke O'Donnell for the season as well as Justin Smith and Carl Webb indefinitely, and are keen to have Tanner on the books for the rest of the season. But it is understood they would not be looking at him for any longer than that just yet.
Tanner is clearly on the outer at Newcastle, being selected this week for just his first top-grade game of the season, and the chances of him being re-signed for next season are slim at best.
Still, the fact that he has been given an opportunity in first grade has thrown a curve ball his way. He has been performing well in premier league and now they have given him a chance in the NRL he may stay there in an attempt to secure a lucrative deal elsewhere for next year.
The Knights, too, say they would be unlikely to agree to a release, although it would be considered.
"We'd consider it like we would for anyone but we're not expecting him to ask," Knights acting chief executive Steve Crowe said.
Perry is not expected to make a decision on his future until after the Knights clash with the Roosters on Saturday night, with his manager, Craig Pearce, saying contract discussions had been put "on the backburner" in light of the developments in Newcastle this week.
Manly chief Grant Mayer, however, played down talk of Perry linking with his club, claiming the Sea Eagles were being used as a negotiating tool by some clubs.
"I can guarantee there is absolutely no announcement regarding Josh Perry and Manly," Mayer said. "We've had discussions going back a number of weeks but nothing has come out of it yet.
"We are turning our focus on retention as opposed to recruitment. We've had three years of very, very aggressive recruitment . I have no issues with us being linked to a player who comes on the open market. All I say is each of the players linked to Manly in the past have actually stayed at the club they are with.
"It sounds to me we are being used as a negotiation tool in some respects, and that's part of the game these days."
Smith, who replaced Michael Hagan at Newcastle this season, has made it clear he is keen to take the Knights in a new direction, with Daniel Abraham, George Carmont, Milton Thaiday, David Seage, Brad Tighe and Riley Brown all told to look elsewhere. SMH
Brisbane Broncos chase front-rower Joel Clinton
By Glenn Jackson
Brisbane Broncos have emerged as major contenders to sign Penrith's former Test front-rower Joel Clinton.
The Herald understands Clinton met Broncos coach Wayne Bennett in Brisbane last week and may sign with the premiers early next week.
While the 25-year-old City and Australian representative has been the subject of interest from several NRL clubs, he is now set to decide between his current club and the Broncos.
It is understood Clinton, a Penrith junior, has been offered three-year deals by both clubs and, while he would like to remain at the Panthers, is also flattered by the interest from Bennett, who coached him in his last outing in an Australian jumper, in 2004.
Clinton's manager, David Riolo, also met Penrith officials yesterday, and while tight-lipped about Brisbane's interest, he expected a decision from his client early next week.
"He's looking at all his options," Riolo said. "He's a Penrith boy, and he's really happy there. But Brisbane's also an attractive proposition. We'll sit down early next week and decide."
The Panthers yesterday confirmed the signing of Newcastle prop Adam Woolnough on a three-year deal, which would cushion somewhat the loss of Clinton to the premiers.
The Broncos lost Shane Webcke to retirement last season and have Petero Civoniceva, Dane Carlaw and Brad Thorn off contract at the end of this season. While the club is eager to re-sign Civoniceva, doubts remain over whether Thorn and Carlaw will be at the Broncos next year.
The moves come with the Broncos on the verge of signing another highly rated Penrith junior in Peter Wallace, who is also due to decide between the two clubs early next week. Wallace's manager, Allan Gainey, met Penrith general manager Mick Leary yesterday.
"It's always hard for a young bloke," Gainey said. "He's a local junior who's played 10 first-grade games and he's offered a contract with Brisbane, and Wayne Bennett's identified him as someone whom he really believes would fulfil a role up there alongside Darren Lockyer."
The Broncos yesterday lost centre Brent Tate to the Warriors on a three-year deal and are likely to lose Shaun Berrigan to the English Super League, which would free up significant funds, although much of that will be offset if the Broncos retain youngsters Joel Moon, Greg Eastwood, Darius Boyd, Steve Michaels and Denan Kemp, who are all off contract at the end of the season.
Broncos managing director Bruno Cullen said: "We haven't got a war chest."
Meanwhile, North Queensland chief executive Peter Parr described as "positive" his talks with off-contract Manly player Travis Burns, who is keen to return to his home state.
Burns, who has also been the subject of interest from Gold Coast, wants to play five-eighth, however, the Sea Eagles see Jamie Lyon as their long-term option in the position.
"It was just a catch-up," Parr said. "He reiterated to me that he was fairly happy at Manly but he's also interested in playing five-eighth. Obviously our preferences are always North Queenslanders first and Queenslanders second - anyone who comes from north of the border ticks a pretty big box. And he plays in a position we want to strengthen."
Said Burns: "Manly's been good for me but I've just got to sit down and work out what's the best opportunity for me . it's not going to be an easy decision."
And Brett Kimmorley's manager will re-open talks with Cronulla today, 10 days after his two-year, $700,000 offer was taken off the table by the club.
Agent George Mimis will meet Sharks coach Ricky Stuart today to discuss the futures of Kimmorley and his halves partner Adam Dykes. SMH
Celtic Crusaders to screen a number of home matches live
Co-operative National League Two side Celtic Crusaders have reached agreement with Welsh broadcaster S4C to screen a number of home matches live this season.
The deal has been finalised following negotiations with Sky Sports, who own the TV rights to the National League.
The first match to be shown will be the Crusaders' clash with Barrow on June 9 and three further matches could be covered this season. Sporting Life
NZ Warriors snare Tate in $400,000 deal
By Peter Jessup
The Warriors have made a big play in the transfer market, signing Broncos wing/centre and current test star Brent Tate to a three-year deal thought to be worth $400,000 a season.
He brings experience at the highest level in NRL finals and representative football, a line-breaking ability, solid defence and flat-out pace - he is likely to be the fastest Warrior in 2008.
Tate, 25, said he had studied the Warriors' roster before agreeing terms because he wanted to retain his test and State of Origin jerseys.
"I wouldn't be going over if I didn't think the team was going places," he said. "I'm the type of player who wants to play finals football. I want to keep playing rep football and you have to be in a good team to do that."
Tate said he was also impressed by the Warriors' management. After long negotiations he agreed terms over the phone on Monday night and settled details yesterday.
"I felt a huge weight come off my shoulders."
Tate's deal will leave the club with little left under the A$4 million ($4.5 million) salary cap to attract any other big names, once the annual upgrades of juniors who are proving themselves is also completed, because most of the squad has already agreed terms for 2008 and beyond.
But he will fill a hole at the Warriors, who lack an attacking centre.
Of the current centres Simon Mannering will end up in the second row, Lance Hohaia is a half/hooker who is too small for midfield these days and Tony Martin is one of a very few players off-contract. Martin had asked for a one-year deal, he and the club yet to negotiate anything further.
The only other Warriors players off-contract are wing Todd Byrne and hooker George Gatis.
Corey Lawrie is on a one-year deal and Louis Anderson has already stated he is going to Super League to play with brother Vinnie.
So any further moves in the market would probably require the release of Byrne, Gatis and Lawrie and possibly others, a la last week's departure of wing Cooper Vuna to Newcastle.
Tate's Warriors deal is far better than anything Brisbane could offer, given they also have to negotiate with other test and Origin regulars Justin Hodges, Petero Civoniceva and Shaun Berrigan plus Kiwi Greg Eastwood and others.
The Warriors apparently beat offers from Penrith and Super League, after a bid from Australian rugby fell by the wayside when the IRB ruled that Tate could not continue to wear the brace he has used for two seasons following neck injury.
But it's more than money that has lured Tate.
Warriors skipper Steve Price is married to Tate's sister Jo while his wife Lani, who was born in Australia, has a Maori mother with relatives here. NZ Herald
NRL salary cap breaches
By Dean Ritchie
Five clubs, possibly six, will be fined for breaching last year's NRL salary cap.
One club confirmed as breaking the $3.36million cap is the battling Canberra Raiders.
Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins said financial "complications" had meant his club exceeded the cap.
It is understood the Raiders were forced to pay extra incentive bonuses to representative players last season.
Hawkins also said a deal over final payments to rugby union-bound Clinton Schifcofske had hindered his club's bid to remain under the cap.
There was further speculation last night that Melbourne and Brisbane were also looking at fines for breaches. "We've had some issues with (NRL salary cap auditor) Ian Schubert," Hawkins said.
"We don't know how much we have breached. The whole process has been complicated. We have had plenty of arguing with the NRL - they agreed with us on some points and disagreed with us on others."
State of Origin payments to former Queensland winger Adam Mogg also hurt Canberra's effort to stay under the salary cap.
"We had to deal with some different issues," Hawkins said.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said no club had openly flouted the salary cap rules.
"The board will consider the report from the 2006 audit," Gallop said. "We expect a number of clubs to be fined. "There is no evidence of systematic cheating any any clubs.
"However, reinforcement of the salary cap does require penalties from time to time."
Clubs last season were allowed another $300,000 in their salary cap for allowances.
That took the final salary cap figure to $3.66million.
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald stressed his club was not one of those to be fined.
"We work hard to stay within the salary cap," Fitzgerald said.
"And we are sure we have remained under the cap."
Sources indicated Souths may have slightly exceeded the salary cap.
But Rabbitohs chief executive Shane Richardson would not comment on any possible fine for his club.
"I don't want to comment. We'll see what comes out." Courier Mail
Jarrod Mullen in serious Origin II doubt
Newcastle halfback Jarrod Mullen will miss two to three weeks with a torn calf muscle, virtually ruling him out of Origin II for NSW at Telstra Stadium on June 13.
Knights officials on Wednesday confirmed the worst, with Mullen suffering a two centimetre tear in his troublesome right calf muscle and unable to play for at least two weeks.
"It's a two to three week injury we think," said Knights media manager Stephen Mount.
"We're not sure where it places him with Origin."
With the NSW team to be named on Tuesday, Mullen is walking a tightrope to retain his spot in the Blues squad.
Since his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium last week, Mullen has only played in the record 71-6 drubbing from Brisbane and would be low on confidence after two losses from a pack of Queenslanders.
While selector Laurie Daley on Tuesday confirmed Mullen "doesn't have to play" on the weekend to be chosen for the Blues, NSW would be hesitant to gamble on the halfback's fitness and inability to train for most of the preparation.
Mullen, 20, however said he would not risk his ongoing fitness by trying to rush back for NSW.
He said he would not push himself to play against the Sydney Roosters at Gosford on Saturday night even if it cost him his sky blue jersey.
"I have heard a lot of rumours that they're not going to pick me if I don't play this week," Mullen told the Nine Network.
"I'm not feeling pressure to play this week. I don't want to do any more damage to it.
"I will do the right thing and pull out if I'm not right."
Daley said the calf injury was likely to be the only thing preventing Mullen from retaining his spot, as he had little doubt the young star could overcome the beating his confidence has taken over the past two games.
"He is not confident as cocky as such, but he has a real good head on his shoulders," said Daley.
"He is just a real good kid, he would be worried but in a good way.
"He wouldn't let it get to his head and still has the self belief in his ability.
"It is hard for a young guy. I remember my first Origin game we got smashed 36-6 and I thought `gee I don't belong here' but eventually you get over it.
"My second game was better and third game better again.
"If people around him are playing well then he plays well as well."
Mullen's injury opens the door for Manly halfback Matt Orford and Cronulla's Brett Kimmorley to sneak into the NSW side.
Kimmorley was overlooked in favour of Mullen for the opening Origin clash, but it is believed Orford has shot to contention with his match-winning field goal against Melbourne on Saturday night showing selectors he can perform in clutch situations.
Orford gets a final chance to press for selection against Craig Gower-led Penrith on Friday while Kimmorley has the ideal scenario facing Maroons' half Johnathan Thurston and North Queensland in front of NSW coach Graham Murray on Saturday night. Yahoo Sport
Precarious nature of coaching in Super League
When Karl Harrison was sacked by Salford last week, the precarious nature of coaching in Super League was again evident.
The former Great Britain international led the City Reds to the play-offs and was nominated for coach of the year in 2006, but that appeared to count for little.
He boasted a fine record, but with the team having fallen four points adrift at the foot of the table and been hammered 66-6 by Catalans Dragons, the well of goodwill had dried up.
It was harsh on the hard-working Harrison, but seven days later the club will consider their ruthlessness worthwhile.
Certainly, if their surprise win over form team Huddersfield on Friday is anything to go by, the Reds may wish they acted sooner.
If that is what happens when coaches are unceremoniously dumped - months after being hailed by their employers as one of the best in the business - then perhaps more clubs could get in on the act.
After their hefty defeats at the weekend, Paul Cullen of Warrington and Hull's Peter Sharp may start to feel the heat.
It is just a pity that a lot of coaches who have been moved in recent years appear to have been lost to the business.
Harrison was tipped for the Great Britain job not too long ago and his talent cannot have disappeared overnight.
It would be a shame if he goes the way of Shane McNally, Denis Betts, Graham Steadman and Neil Kelly and is not seen again - except, in some cases, in the other code.
But, as Salford may prove this week, not all vanish never to return.
Shaun McRae was a familiar face throughout the first decade of Super League and his decision to join South Sydney at the end of 2004 saw the British game lose one of its great characters.
Sadly for him, Hull went on to win the Challenge Cup without him while Souths struggled for two years, but he would be welcomed back into Super League with open arms.
Quite whether Salford is the job for him, though, is another matter.
He seems keen to return to Britain and Salford, naturally, want a man of his experience but there is a lot at stake.
Hauling a side that, last Friday apart, has played terrible rugby all season off the bottom of the table will be no straightforward task.
McRae struggled to get Souths upwardly mobile and, with the threat of relegation looming, the pressures would be even higher.
He may look for inspiration from his former Hull assistant John Kear, who pulled off a similar trick at Wakefield last year, but the competition is tough.
No-one would wish him to fail, but sentiment is in short supply and this is not a job to be taken lightly. Sporting Life
Steve Folkes upset at player contract talk
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes will on Thursday confront senior players as claims of unrest continue to plague the struggling NRL club.
Less than 24 hours after "unsubstantiated rumours" surfaced the Bulldogs board were planning to oust Folkes and chief executive Malcolm Noad, the coach faced accusations senior players were upset at the handling of contract negotiations for hookers Adam Perry and Corey Hughes.
Both players are off contract and yet to receive offers from the club, prompting Willie Mason, Reni Maitua and Mark O'Meley to question the club's handling of the process in the current issue of Rugby League Week magazine.
Folkes said other players commenting on teammates contracts "out of bounds" and he would address the issue at training on Thursday.
"I think contract negotiations and these things are fairly private," Folkes told Southern Cross radio.
"To discuss someone else's contract negotiations I think is out of bounds.
"It's none of your business basically and some of those guys, I will probably have a quiet word with them tomorrow.
"They tend to get emotional about things and they like Corey, he is very well respected and I understand that but they need to also understand the club's position.
"If we are not looking to improve our football team and improve the way we play footy then we are not doing our job properly.
"Ideally we'd like to get a young up and coming hooker and Corey would be a fantastic mentor for that guy.
"Hopefully a bit of this stuff going on this week will bring the guys closer together and fire them up a bit."
It has been a torrid week at Belmore with Bulldogs board deputy chairman Peter Casilles on Wednesday posting a statement on the club's website refuting claims they were trying to sack both Folkes and Noad.
"The Board has never discussed, either formally or informally, the dismissal of Steve or Malcolm," said Casilles.
Folkes is set to coach his 250th NRL game against New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Sunday, Casilles congratulating the former Bulldogs player on such a long and successful reign at the club.
"It's a pity this story has taken the shine off the celebration of Steve's 250th first grade game as coach," said Casilles.
"Steve is one of the most respected coaches in the game.
"His longevity in such a high pressure and high profile position is a testament to the high regard that both players and management have for him.
"His continued dedicated performance as coach is not a surprise given the dedication he displayed as a player."
In his 10th season at the club, Folkes has a remarkable 60 per cent winning success rate which is only bettered by current NRL coaches Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy.
Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan also applauded Folkes for the milestone and the role he has had in his own football career.
"Steve Folkes is a true professional and a man of unquestionable character," said Ryan.
"The high standards he expects from the players both on and off the field are matched by the standards he expects from himself.
"I have learnt a lot about the game and about leadership from Folkesy and there is no question that I am a better footballer because of his influence." Yahoo Sport
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