Rugby Union: Dwyer swipes at poachers

(First Edition)

BOB DWYER, the Australian coach, fears that his preparations for next year's defence of the World Cup could be disrupted by professional rugby league clubs trying to poach players.

Dwyer said the expansion of Australia's rugby league competition next season, involving the introduction of four new clubs, poses a significant threat to the amateur code.

'If there are more people out there in the market place, and they're trying to buy more players than ever before, then they are going to be taking more nips at our guys,' Dwyer told The Australian newspaper yesterday.

Queensland Crushers, one of the new clubs for the 1995 rugby league season, have already signed the Wallaby forward, Garrick Morgan, to a three-year contract. However, the flanker, Willie Ofahengaue, and the centres, Tim Horan and Jason Little, have rejected offers to turn professional.