[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]By James Hooper
June 17, 2005
A $2.5 million English contract offer is set to force Sydney Roosters Kiwi Test forward Jason Cayless to walk out on the NRL at the end of this season.
The Daily Telegraph has learned that five English clubs - St Helens, Wigan, Bradford, French UTC and London - have all thrown irresistible big-money deals at the New Zealand Test star.
In a shock loss for 2004 minor premiers Sydney Roosters, Cayless last night confirmed he is seriously considering turning his back on the NRL.
The news comes as the Roosters prepare to travel to Cronulla to meet a desperate Sharks outfit at Toyota Park tonight.
"I've played in four grand finals at the Roosters and I absolutely love the club and if everything was equal I would love to stay here," Cayless said.
"But the fact is I've got some really big offers from the UK which I have to consider.
"I might only be 25 years old but I do have to consider my financial future. If I choose to stay in the NRL then I can't really see myself playing for any other club than the Roosters.
"I love it at the Roosters, I've made some great friends and the coaching and support staff are the best in the business."
Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan confimred the Bondi Junction outfit will meet Cayless next week to work out whether he is staying in the NRL.
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Cayless's manager David Riolo refused to confirm the massive English offers, but the Daily Telegraph understands the Kiwi Test prop has been pondering them for the past month.
The latest expected loss to the NRL continues the trend of players leaving Australia to take up big-money deals in the UK.
In another English development, Sharks dynamo Michael Sullivan is understood to be poised to link with Warrington as a halfback for next season.
The Daily Telegraph
So Willie and Anasta to the roosters now then[/font]
