League: Kevin Locke loses pay dispute with former club Salford

Former Warriors fullback Kevin Locke. Photo/Getty.

Former Kiwis international Kevin Locke's claim for unlawful deduction of wages by his former Super League club Salford has been denied by a Rugby Football League independent tribunal.

The former Warriors fullback, currently playing for Wakefield after leaving the Red Devils back in June, is now tipped to return down under and attempt a return to the NRL.

Salford owner Marwan Koukash used social media to express his pleasure at the Tribunal's decision but took time to wish Locke all the best for the future.

"Delighted with outcome of today's hearing. However, I do feel sorry for Kevin Locke and I do want to wish him all the best for the future," Koukash tweeted today.

Locke can still opt to take his case to an employment tribunal but may be content to let the matter rest following today's verdict.

Today's decision is the latest in a series of trying circumstances for the 26-year-old, who has endured a turbulent time since leaving New Zealand to take up a three-year contract at Salford in October last year.

Upon arriving in the UK Locke was dogged by injuries and problems soon emerged with Salford and Koukash as the Red Devils struggled for results.

At one point he considered switching to rugby and was linked with Scotland before deciding to stay in the 13-man code.

With his relationship with Salford fast deteriorating, Locke then claimed he was owed money by the club and said he felt let down over the terms of his deal. Salford contested his claim which led to it being referred to a tribunal.

In recent days, Locke has strongly denied allegations he was dropped by Wakefield ahead of Saturday's Super League Qualifiers match with Halifax, because he was one of three players who stole coach Brian Smith's car.

Australian sports broadcaster Dan Ginnane broke the story on Triple M radio on Saturday, alleging Locke, together with teammates Tim Smith and Reece Lyne stole Smith's car before crashing it into a wall.

Yesterday Locke insisted the allegations were untrue, saying: "Yes I was involved in an incident, as a back seat passenger. Yes I was questioned as a witness by police at the scene, breathalysed with a zero alcohol reading and let go. And the car in question was my car! I can't give any more information on Tim as he was the driver and that is a police and club matter."

In a statement released over the weekend, Wakefield said a "full investigation" had been launched and the club was co-operating fully with police and league's governing body in the UK.