League: UK Warriors elect Clinton as target

Clinton Toopi is in the sights of Wigan Warriors and is understood to have been offered a lucrative deal - thought to be $1m over two years - to join the UK side in 2007.

The 26-year-old Kiwis centre is off contract with the Warriors at the end of the season and could be keen for a change after seven seasons at Ericsson Stadium.

Toopi was close to being back to his best in last year's Tri-Nations after two disappointing seasons, and it's little surprise he's attracted interest among Super League clubs.

NRL sides are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with big money being offered in the UK. The Warriors lost prop Iafeta Paleaaesina to Wigan last season for reportedly $500,000 a year.

Toopi was recently the centre of speculation during the salary cap debacle and said there had been "definite interest" from other clubs when it was suggested the Warriors might have to offload players to get under the salary cap.

Agent Frank Endacott said it was too early to talk about Toopi's future. "There are rumours but that's all they are," said Endacott, who will be travelling to the UK in June to talk to Super League clubs about a number of his players.

Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah wasn't aware of Wigan's interest but wasn't surprised Toopi was being targeted by a Super League club.

"I know he would be pretty popular over there but he's certainly in our sights," Scurrah said. "It comes down to how the competitive the marketplace is. We would like to think we are competitive but we can't underestimate what the UK clubs might offer."

If Toopi has been offered $500,000 a year, that may well be significantly more than the Warriors' salary cap will stand, accepting that their top players have reportedly been on about $400,000 a year.

Toopi is just one of at least seven Warriors coming off contract at the end of 2006, with the futures of Brent Webb, Tony Martin, Sione Faumuina, Awen Guttenbeil, Evarn Tuimavave and Epalahame Lauaki also up in the air.

Webb is already weighing up a possible switch to rugby union and has also reportedly courted interest from the new Gold Coast Titans, who join the NRL in 2007.

The Warriors are also hamstrung in their planning by not knowing exactly what the salary cap will be set at for 2007.

One player they have apparently re-signed, however, is veteran prop Ruben Wiki. It's understood Wiki has signed a one-year extension to his deal that was due to run out at the end of 2007, which will fend off any expected Super League interest.

The Warriors wouldn't comment on Wiki yesterday but he comes off contract at the end of next season, potentially leaving them short of experience in the forwards.

The 33-year-old Wiki is also viewed as someone who could move into coaching and player development when his playing days are over.

-HERALD ON SUNDAY