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Your support makes all the difference.Rugby League
DAVE HADFIELD
Warrington have warned off any clubs pursuing their Welsh international, Iestyn Harris, insisting that he is not for sale at any price.
The game's bush telegraph is buzzing with reports that Leeds or Wigan would match the world record pounds 500,000 that took Paul Newlove to St Helens in order to get their hands on Harris.
"There is manoeuvring going on," Graham Armstrong, Warrington's chief executive, said. "There have been no firm offers, but he is simply not for sale in any case. He is the last person on our books we would sell."
Harris, still only 19, shone for Wales in the World Cup in October and has since had approaches from Welsh rugby union clubs.
Warrington have also found their young loose forward, Paul Sculthorpe, in Leeds' sights, but are equally adamant that he is not leaving. "We should be flattered, because it shows what good young players we have got, but they are not going anywhere," Armstrong said.
The former Warrington and Wales forward, Mike Nicholas, has set up an office in Cardiff to recruit players for what would be rugby's first year- round, mixed code club.
Nicholas' old union club, Aberavon, are planning to enter a side in the Second Division of the and he is looking for players to play either code - or both.
"I have had the go-ahead from the League and from Aberavon," Nicholas said. "I want to break down the barriers. It could be a complementary thing, with league getting established here and union players improving their skills by playing our game."
Warrington, last year's beaten finalists, have been drawn to meet St Helens at Knowsley Road in the first semi-final of the Regal Trophy on 30 December.
Their Australian scrum-half, Greg Mackey, will leave for home after the match against Castleford on Friday. Mackey had been linked with the job as coach of the Super League team in Paris, but a French coach will be appointed this week.
The Regal holders, Wigan, who are likely to be without Andy Farrell until January now that he has decided to have a groin operation, are at home to Leeds, the only side to beat them this season, on 6 January.
Wigan could also be without Va'aiga Tuigamala with a gashed knee and Jason Robinson with a shoulder injury for their match against Halifax tomorrow night.
Halifax have signed the Auckland Warriors utility player, Martin Moana, on a two-year contract. Moana is one of the players released by the Warriors as they trim down their squad for the Super League.
"He comes recommended by John Monie and also by Dean Bell, who played alongside him," Steve Simms, the Halifax coach, said.
Moana, aged 22 and a former Junior Kiwi, made six first-team appearances for Auckland last season, and will arrive as soon as he has obtained a work permit. Primarily a stand-off or loose forward, he can also play centre.
Oldham have been fined pounds 4000 and suspended for 12 months for deliberately fielding a weakened side against Warrington in August.
Keighley have given an undertaking not to sign any more players after falling behind on payments for previous transfers.
REGAL TROPHY Semi-finals: St Helens v Warrington (30 December); Wigan v Leeds (6 January).
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