League: In-form Webb still in dark over future

Warriors fullback Brent Webb. Picture / Brett Phibbs

In-form fullback Brent Webb will have no hard feelings if he ends up leaving the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the National Rugby League (NRL) season.

The Queensland-born Kiwis international, who is coming off contract, has not been offered a new deal yet by the Warriors, leading to continuing speculation over his future.

One report in England this week suggested a possible move to Leeds.

The Yorkshire Post newspaper said the Rhinos had been told Webb would be available if they wanted a replacement for Richard Mathers, who is heading to new NRL side, the Gold Coast Titans.

However, Webb, 25, said he was still unsure where he would be playing next year.

The NRL anti-tampering period expires next week, but he had not spoken to Warriors management recently.

"Things are the same as they were a few weeks ago," he said.

"There's been no offer made."

His own gut feeling that this could be his last campaign with the Warriors, who have salary cap constraints.

"The way things are, I don't think I'll be here next year," he said.

"That hasn't been fully determined so I'll just keep going the way I've been going and we'll see what happens."

If he did leave, he would have "no complaints".

He understood the realities of the situation and he had enjoyed his time at the Warriors, who gave him his start in the NRL four years ago.

Webb, who took his tally of Kiwis caps to 11 with the Anzac test against Australia last month, has been in fine form for the Warriors, appearing in every match this season.

His support play and free running have been features, and he is fourth in the NRL for line breaks.

Webb said coach Ivan Cleary had wanted him to operate more as a conventional fullback than as an option as a ball player.

"It took me a while to get used to it, but it's working out now," he said.

"I seem to be making a few more line breaks, but basically it's down to the big fellas up front going forward and I'm just backing up."

The Warriors are away to bottom-of-the-table South Sydney on Sunday and are seeking three consecutive wins for the first time since 2003, the year they made the grand final.

They completed successive victories for just the second time this season when beating Newcastle 30-18 in Auckland last Sunday.

Webb described that result as "big" not only for the team but also for himself.

It was the first time he had been in a winning side against the Knights at Ericsson Stadium.

The Warriors remain down in 13th spot, but four of their next five matches are against opponents outside the top eight.

Webb said there would be no thoughts of an easy ride, especially against the Rabbitohs, who upset the form book by beating then competition leaders Brisbane a fortnight ago.

"We aren't going to be complacent. We've got to get the two points."

Cleary said Webb was a good example of why the Warriors had developed some consistency over the past month.

"You get guys backing up," he said.

"It shows why we've been putting forward some pretty decent performances."

- NZPA