Play nzherald.co.nz's rugby Pick the Score competition - go to: pickthescore.nzherald.co.nz
KEY POINTS:
The Warriors have dropped their most error and penalty-prone forward, Epalahame Lauaki, who is headed to English side Hull. The salary cap saving may allow the Auckland NRL club to pursue in-limbo Kiwi Greg Eastwood.
Eastwood is one of several ex-NRL players signed by Super League clubs but prevented from playing because the British High Commission has refused work visas.
Others denied entry to play are former Storm backrower Michael Crocker, who is also signed by Hull and is appealing against the ban imposed because of his conviction for public affray; Todd Carney, who was similarly refused because of his police record; and Greg Bird, sacked from the Sharks after being charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Bird, who is awaiting trial in April, was signed by the Bradford Bulls but is now talking to French club Les Catalans.
Warriors boss Wayne Scurrah said Lauaki had reached a verbal agreement with Hull and had yesterday asked the Warriors for a release from the remainder of his contract, which runs to 2010, subject to his securing a work permit for England.
The move was expected to be completed in two to four weeks.
Hull football operations manager Jon Sharp tried to contract Lauaki when he was coach of Huddersfield. "I was desperate to sign him and I chased him for two years. He will be a tremendous asset and he will kill it here."
Lauaki made his debut for the Warriors in 2004 and played two games for the Kiwis in 2007 before switching allegiance to Tonga for last year's World Cup. He had always wanted to play in the Super League, he said, and did not want to go at the end of his career.
"I wanted to come while I still had plenty of football in front of me and when Hull came in for me it presented me with the perfect opportunity."
Scurrah has had talks with Eastwood's agent David Riolo to express interest should he fail to secure a visa but they have not made him an offer and would not be paying over the odds, the Warriors chief executive said.
"We are reluctant to get into bidding wars these days, a reflection of our problems in the past [the salary cap blowout of 2006]. If we think he's the right guy to fill a position we want to fill, then we will make him a realistic offer."
Eastwood, 21, is a useful utility who played lock, five-eighths and centre for the Brisbane Broncos from 2005-08. He made the Kiwis under Brian McClennan and it was McClennan who enticed him to sign with Leeds Rhinos but, two games into the season, there is no sign of the High Commission backing down on its decision, which relates to traffic offences.
He would fight hard for a starting spot but would be useful off the bench.
- The Warriors-Cowboys crowd of 16,703 was the biggest recorded for an NRL trial this year.
Referees boss Robert Finch has defended whistlers Ashley Klein and Alan Shortall who blew 28 penalties in the Warriors game and sent an email to all 16 NRL clubs warning of a crackdown on attempts to slow the play-the-ball.
The penalty count was Warriors 15-13 and Finch dismissed the Cowboys management's suggestion it cost them the game.
- Former Junior Kiwis prop Sam Moa, who was at Balmain-Ryde, has signed for Hull.
- The Titans have signalled that they will not play their captain and halfback star Scott Prince against the Warriors in the pre-season contest at Lismore on Saturday.
- Leeds hooker Danny Buderus is doubtful for this weekend's World Club Challenge against Manly after suffering a knee tear.
