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Just grabbed these 2 articles off nrl.com
English Super League club Leeds has denied signing a deal with Northern Eagles five-eighth Ben Walker, saying reports of a two-year deal are premature.
Reports in Australia said the 24-year-old had signed with Leeds after a spectacular season with the cash-strapped Eagles.
In a personnel shake-up, Leeds has poached Australian Adrian Vowles from English club Castleford, while former Canberra fullback Brett Mullins is expected to head back to Australia a year early after a disappointing season.
But Leeds spokesman Phil Daly said there had been no deal with Walker as yet.
"We've spoken to Ben but talk that he's signed for us is premature at this stage," Daly said.
"Obviously with (Leeds captain) Iestyn Harris going to the Welsh Rugby Union, we're after a five-eighth of the right standing and certainly Ben fills that role. He's an excellent player and we're interested in bringing world class players to our club."
Walker has proved one of the buys of the season after linking with the Eagles following Brisbane's decision to discard him at the end of last year and is on the verge of two historic scoring milestones.
He needs only 18 more points to break the premiership record held by Ivan Cleary, who posted 284 points for the Sydney Roosters in 1998.
With two rounds remaining, Walker has 267 points from 17 tries, 99 goals and a field goal.
He also requires only one more four-pointer to equal the record for most tries in a season by a five-eighth.
Daly also confirmed that Leeds was likely to let Mullins break his two-year contract at the end of the season.
The erratic, injury-prone Mullins has played only 12 matches with Leeds and may need surgery on a recurrent knee injury.
"That's certainly something we're looking at with Brett," Daly said.
"We've got four more rounds of the regular season so a decision would certainly be made at the end of that, within the next fortnight most likely.
"It's a serious knee injury he's picked up and it has been a disappointing season, mainly for Brett and also for the club because we had such high hopes when he signed for us."
Asked if Leeds would allow Mullins to play for an NRL club next year, Daly said: "That would be the logical situation, if he was able to get a club, yeah."
Brought to you by AAP
_____________________________________________________
A UK company has made an offer to News Limited to buy the North Queensland Cowboys rugby league club.
Larson International made the informal offer on Tuesday to buy 100 per cent of the Cowboys in a deal which guarantees a seven-figure up-front amount and on-going costs and funding.
Simon Burgess, who has been negotiating on behalf of Larson, said if successful the company would be in for the long haul.
He said there would be an emphasis on the development of local juniors.
"Larson International is aiming to develop its network in the Pacific rim and sees sport, via the Cowboys, as a perfect business and promotional vehicle," Burgess told the Courier Mail newspaper.
News Limited assumed sole ownership of the poorly performing club in June this year.
Larson International has diverse interests, including medical research and hospitality, and a net worth of more than $US500 million ($A940 million).
News Limited business development manager Peter Jourdain said all serious offers would be taken seriously.
Brought to you by AAP
Interesting news in the pipelines!
The Fan.
English Super League club Leeds has denied signing a deal with Northern Eagles five-eighth Ben Walker, saying reports of a two-year deal are premature.
Reports in Australia said the 24-year-old had signed with Leeds after a spectacular season with the cash-strapped Eagles.
In a personnel shake-up, Leeds has poached Australian Adrian Vowles from English club Castleford, while former Canberra fullback Brett Mullins is expected to head back to Australia a year early after a disappointing season.
But Leeds spokesman Phil Daly said there had been no deal with Walker as yet.
"We've spoken to Ben but talk that he's signed for us is premature at this stage," Daly said.
"Obviously with (Leeds captain) Iestyn Harris going to the Welsh Rugby Union, we're after a five-eighth of the right standing and certainly Ben fills that role. He's an excellent player and we're interested in bringing world class players to our club."
Walker has proved one of the buys of the season after linking with the Eagles following Brisbane's decision to discard him at the end of last year and is on the verge of two historic scoring milestones.
He needs only 18 more points to break the premiership record held by Ivan Cleary, who posted 284 points for the Sydney Roosters in 1998.
With two rounds remaining, Walker has 267 points from 17 tries, 99 goals and a field goal.
He also requires only one more four-pointer to equal the record for most tries in a season by a five-eighth.
Daly also confirmed that Leeds was likely to let Mullins break his two-year contract at the end of the season.
The erratic, injury-prone Mullins has played only 12 matches with Leeds and may need surgery on a recurrent knee injury.
"That's certainly something we're looking at with Brett," Daly said.
"We've got four more rounds of the regular season so a decision would certainly be made at the end of that, within the next fortnight most likely.
"It's a serious knee injury he's picked up and it has been a disappointing season, mainly for Brett and also for the club because we had such high hopes when he signed for us."
Asked if Leeds would allow Mullins to play for an NRL club next year, Daly said: "That would be the logical situation, if he was able to get a club, yeah."
Brought to you by AAP
_____________________________________________________
A UK company has made an offer to News Limited to buy the North Queensland Cowboys rugby league club.
Larson International made the informal offer on Tuesday to buy 100 per cent of the Cowboys in a deal which guarantees a seven-figure up-front amount and on-going costs and funding.
Simon Burgess, who has been negotiating on behalf of Larson, said if successful the company would be in for the long haul.
He said there would be an emphasis on the development of local juniors.
"Larson International is aiming to develop its network in the Pacific rim and sees sport, via the Cowboys, as a perfect business and promotional vehicle," Burgess told the Courier Mail newspaper.
News Limited assumed sole ownership of the poorly performing club in June this year.
Larson International has diverse interests, including medical research and hospitality, and a net worth of more than $US500 million ($A940 million).
News Limited business development manager Peter Jourdain said all serious offers would be taken seriously.
Brought to you by AAP
Interesting news in the pipelines!
The Fan.
