Broncos capture versatile Peden

The London Broncos have signed Bill Peden, one of Australia's most experienced utility forwards, for next season. Peden, aged 32, has played in two Grand Final victories in his 191 games for the Newcastle Knights, including scoring two tries in the 2001 win over Parramatta. He has now joined the rest of the squad in their winter training camp in Australia.

"What others had told me about the Broncos before I agreed to sign has already been confirmed by what I've seen here at the training ground," he said. "You can tell a lot about a club from the people around it and the way the group gets on so well. I hope I can play an important role with the club."

Peden replaces another Australian, Wayne Evans, who has decided to retire after a season at the Broncos that was ruined by injuries.

Evans, who joined the club from Northern Eagles a year ago, said: "I just felt it was the right thing for me to do. Only the individual knows when he's had enough and I felt my time had come."

The former New Zealand coach, Frank Endacott, has urged the game's International Federation to allocate the 2005 World Cup to the Kiwis when it meets in February, rather than playing it in Britain and France for the third time in a row.

"If they would make an announcement about it next year, it would give us plenty of time to plan the tournament and get sponsors in place," said the former Wigan coach. "We have some fine stadiums in New Zealand and we could play matches the length and breadth of the country."

The Wigan chairman, Maurice Lindsay, has denied reports circulating in Australia that he is interested in the chief executive's role at the Brisbane Broncos.

Preston Campbell, who was Australia's player of the season last year, has escaped with minor injuries after a car crash on his holidays in New South Wales.