Morenito
Juniors
- Messages
- 1,700
Wigan have another go at signing Bryan Fletcher
By Brad Walter
February 2, 2005
South Sydney have turned down an approach from Wigan to release captain Bryan Fletcher on the eve of the NRL season.
It is the second time in six months the English club has failed in a bid to snare Fletcher and it is believed the big-spending Super League outfit now plans to target Parramatta prop Michael Vella.
Fletcher's agent, Steve Gillis, confirmed that an offer had been received this week from Wigan, who are desperate to find a replacement for injured front-rower Luke Davico.
Wigan signed Davico only after missing out on Fletcher late last year but the former Canberra prop's career now seems to have ended after he suffered a recurrence of a torn pectoral muscle during a trial last weekend.
Great Britain captain Andy Farrell is also out for six months with a knee injury, leaving Wigan short on forward firepower going into the Super League season.
Gillis said Fletcher would see out the remainder of his Rabbitohs contract and might extend the deal beyond this year.
It's always been part of Bryan's long-term plan to play over there but he won't be going this season and we will have to wait and see what happens in regards to June 30 [the NRL's anti-tampering deadline]," Gillis said. "All we could do was relay Wigan's offer to Souths, and they were keen to retain him, so that's the end of the matter."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said Fletcher was an integral part of new coach Shaun McRae's plans and the club was determined to keep him.
"I've spoken to Bryan and he's happy here, so we've got no interest in releasing him," Richardson said.
Gillis said he expected Fletcher's future to be resolved within the next five months but if Wigan were to sign another high-profile Australian, the club might not have an import spot left for the former Test second-rower.
Vella, who is under pressure to retain his starting place in the Eels' forward pack, is understood to head a shortlist of possible targets for Wigan. But Parramatta are also likely to be reluctant to release him so close to the beginning of the season, which starts on March 11.
Widnes and London have been linked to former Souths centre Lee Hookey, who quit the club before Christmas to spend more time with his family.
Interesting... thoughts?
By Brad Walter
February 2, 2005
South Sydney have turned down an approach from Wigan to release captain Bryan Fletcher on the eve of the NRL season.
It is the second time in six months the English club has failed in a bid to snare Fletcher and it is believed the big-spending Super League outfit now plans to target Parramatta prop Michael Vella.
Fletcher's agent, Steve Gillis, confirmed that an offer had been received this week from Wigan, who are desperate to find a replacement for injured front-rower Luke Davico.
Wigan signed Davico only after missing out on Fletcher late last year but the former Canberra prop's career now seems to have ended after he suffered a recurrence of a torn pectoral muscle during a trial last weekend.
Great Britain captain Andy Farrell is also out for six months with a knee injury, leaving Wigan short on forward firepower going into the Super League season.
Gillis said Fletcher would see out the remainder of his Rabbitohs contract and might extend the deal beyond this year.
It's always been part of Bryan's long-term plan to play over there but he won't be going this season and we will have to wait and see what happens in regards to June 30 [the NRL's anti-tampering deadline]," Gillis said. "All we could do was relay Wigan's offer to Souths, and they were keen to retain him, so that's the end of the matter."
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said Fletcher was an integral part of new coach Shaun McRae's plans and the club was determined to keep him.
"I've spoken to Bryan and he's happy here, so we've got no interest in releasing him," Richardson said.
Gillis said he expected Fletcher's future to be resolved within the next five months but if Wigan were to sign another high-profile Australian, the club might not have an import spot left for the former Test second-rower.
Vella, who is under pressure to retain his starting place in the Eels' forward pack, is understood to head a shortlist of possible targets for Wigan. But Parramatta are also likely to be reluctant to release him so close to the beginning of the season, which starts on March 11.
Widnes and London have been linked to former Souths centre Lee Hookey, who quit the club before Christmas to spend more time with his family.
Interesting... thoughts?
