Rugby League: Canterbury have use of sent-off players

Canterbury will have the two players sent off at Wigan on Monday available for their last World Club Championship match at the London Broncos tomorrow night, writes Dave Hadfield.

Glen Hughes has been found not guilty of a high tackle, while Steve Reardon has been ruled to have been sufficiently punished for the careless use of a forearm.

With their centre, Gary Marteene, already having been told that he has no case to answer after being placed on report, Canterbury can reflect that they have emerged from a rugged game with a relatively clean bill of health. They might also feel, however, that the two dismissals cost them the match, eventually won 31-24 by Wigan.

London will have Shaun Edwards back, at stand-off, for the injured Tulsen Tollett, for the match against the Bulldogs, victory over whom will guarantee them, like Wigan, a home tie in the quarter-finals.

The 6ft 8in giant, Mick Seaby, is named at prop, with Tony Mestrov and Peter Gill starting on the bench, alongside the 18-year-old back-row forward, Kerod Toby, who was spotted by the Broncos in the curtain- raiser to their pre-season friendly in Rockhampton.

Canberra have sent for the winger, Royston Lightning, for their final match at Wigan on Sunday, following the loss of David Boyle through injury. Iestyn Harris is doubtful for Leeds in the match against North Queensland that could give them top place in their group.

The Auckland Warriors, who have been assured that there will be a place for them in Super League next season, could be preparing to use their wingman, Lee Oudenryn as a bargaining counter to try to prise Henry Paul from Wigan.

Oudenryn, who once beat Martin Offiah in a challenge sprint, will be, after the departure of Denis Betts to Wigan, the only non-New Zealander left at a club now committed to a home-grown policy.

The Perth Reds, unlike Auckland, have failed to gain any assurances about their future. Players emerged from a video conference with Super League officials yesterday uncertain whether they will have a club to play for next season.