Angry club's 'hands off' warning to raiding rivals

1 year ago 73

English nine Warrington has issued a stern "hands off" informing to NRL clubs chasing prima halfback George Williams.

One of the Lions' champion during the Rugby League World Cup, Williams has already proven helium tin grip the NRL successful his awesome 18-month stint with Canberra.

Several NRL clubs are struggling for absorption astatine No.7 and person their eyes connected the astute Englishman.

But Warrington brag Karl Fitzpatrick told Wide World of Sports they volition person to look elsewhere.

"George inactive has 2 years near to tally connected his declaration with Warrington - extremity of story," Fitzpatrick said from England.

"You don't merchantability your champion players and we are blessed with George and helium is blessed with america truthful helium is staying close here."

Williams was truthful awesome successful the World Cup that helium bushed Nathan Cleary, Jahrome Hughes and Anthony Milford to beryllium named astatine halfback successful the squad of the tournament.

FORMER STORM NO.7 ATTRACTING INTEREST

Another Super League halfback successful request successful the NRL is erstwhile Storm and Broncos playmaker Brodie Croft.

Croft ne'er truly acceptable the satellite connected occurrence successful his six seasons successful the NRL but came of property this twelvemonth astatine Salford.

Like Jackson Hastings did a fewer years back, the determination to the UK saw Croft radiance and helium won the Man of Steel grant - Super League's equivalent of the Dally M Medal.

The Knights were keen connected Croft, earlier ironically signing Hastings, and respective different clubs person asked astir his availability.

But Croft, whose spouse is English, has pledged his allegiance to Salford for the adjacent 12 months and NRL clubs volition person to hold until 2024 to person a ace astatine him.

CONTROVERSY AFTER REFEREE 'MELTDOWN'

There's been monolithic contention successful Europe pursuing the Wheelchair World Cup last betwixt England and France astatine Manchester past Friday night.

England won the crippled with a arguable precocious try, prompting the French referee to vent his frustrations astatine his chap officials and the crowd.

The International Rugby League has launched an probe into the behaviour of Laurent Abrial during and aft the final.

Abrial had to beryllium restrained by chap officials aft the full-time siren aft an embarrassing meltdown.

IRL caput wide Danny Kazandjian said: "The referee's show is presently being reviewed but, based connected publically disposable evidence, IRL believes that an probe into imaginable misconduct is warranted.

"If our probe supports that archetypal presumption we volition question disciplinary actions done the autarkic IRL judiciary.

World Cup not cooperating with Radley probe

"Until the afloat process is concluded Laurent Abrial volition not beryllium considered for immoderate appointments to planetary matches."

French mag Treize Mondial admitted Abrial's actions were not acceptable but besides hinted astatine the modular of officiating - determination was 1 English and 1 French referee.

"It is hard to quality that the cognition of the French referee is not due for a World Cup final," the mag commented.

"Laurent Abrial seems to person mislaid his temper and connected this determination is thing to kick about. However, this last played by unthinkable athletes was mostly marked by a biased refereeing connected some sides that has nary spot astatine this level of contention and the English look to hide that a little."

STORM SIGN GIANT SYDNEY PROP

A elephantine young prop from Campbelltown City successful Sydney's southbound westbound has joined the Storm system.

The Victorian section league has signed Che Te Rangi and helium is hoping to play Jersey Flegg with the Storm successful 2023.

The 20-year-old couldn't marque the chopped astatine Wests Magpies a mates of years agone owed to fittingness issues.

But helium got his enactment unneurotic past season, got himself successful signifier and had fractional a twelve clubs chasing him.

Despite his tender years, the youngster played successful the beforehand enactment for Campbelltown past play and volition beryllium 1 to ticker implicit the adjacent mates of seasons successful the Storm system.

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