League: Aussies wade in and hit below the belt

Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad has admitted a "wind-up" of Kiwis selector Daryl Halligan led to speculation that Sonny Bill Williams would not be allowed to play the Tri-Nations series.

Noad told Sydney's Daily Telegraph that Dogs doctor Hugh Hazard and coach Steve Folkes suggested to Halligan that Williams and Matt Utai would have to rest because of injury.

Tigers half Benji Marshall was also unlikely as he would be told by the club to have shoulder surgery.

It's a low act, the more so because it involves Hazard, who is the Australian team doctor. It's something that will no doubt fuel the NZRL's push to have independent medics.

Meanwhile, it appears Noad finds it harder to cop critics than being one. This week he lodged defamation action against media commentator Rebecca "The Wrecker" Wilson over a long-running spat following the sexual assault allegations made against Dogs players in 2004. He was formerly Wilson's boss at News Ltd.

* Souths are set to sign Sharks wing Nathan Merritt and Penrith five-eighth Ben Rogers. The Gold Coast are expected to announce they have Wests Tigers prop/second rower Anthony Laffranchi for 2007. Sharks fullback David Peachey is also apparently looking at a deal there as back-up to his contract at Widnes: he has an "out" clause if Widnes are relegated from the Super League. At present they are in the zone on 11 points in second-last, three behind Wakefield, with the bottom two to drop.

* New Zealand Universities meet Australia in the final of the student World Cup at Langlands Park in Brisbane today. The New Zealand side beat England 34-8 in their semifinal on Wednesday night.

The NZ side include Warriors development player Paul Atkins at fullback, Iafeta Paleaaesina's younger brother Tala and several Bartercard Cup players.