Henderson looking to impress

Andrew Henderson will have the chance to earn himself a Super League contract when he plays for Widnes against the Australian club and World Sevens-winners, Wests-Tigers, this weekend.

The Australian hooker, who played for Barrow last season, has been with Widnes throughout their three-week training camp in his home country.

"I thought he was one of our better performers in the Sevens and he has fitted in well in training," said the Widnes coach, Neil Kelly, who will give him a further chance to impress in the match at Forster tomorrow.

Castleford's new Australian stand-off, Sean Rudder, has recovered from a knee injury and makes his debut at Huddersfield tonight, as will Paul Newlove following a foot problem.

Huddersfield will have five new players in their ranks, Stuart Donlan, Sean Penkywicz, Stuart Jones, Chris Nero and Paul Smith. Also tonight, Wakefield will have three newcomers, Justin Ryder, Albert Talipeau and David Solomona, in the side for their friendly at Leeds.

The Australian Test centre, Ryan Girdler, is out of Penrith's side for the World Club Challenge against Bradford on 13 February. Girdler has been suffering from pleurisy and will miss the match at the McAlpine Stadium. Brett Howland comes in as his replacement.

The Panthers have had better news about Preston Campbell, who will be fit after a groin strain. The Panthers will leave Sydney next Wednesday to give themselves more than a week to acclimatise for the game in Huddersfield.

The Panthers' coach, John Lang, said: "The Roosters did that last year and came back with the goods. Other Australian teams have left it later and haven't done so well, so we think getting over there early is the thing to do."

Greg McCallum, once the most powerful man in the British game, is back in an administrative role in his native Australia. McCallum, who was orginally in charge of Britain's referees, became the director of rugby at the Rugby League before being deposed in 2002.

Now he has been appointed match review co-ordinator with the National Rugby League, who have also added the former St Helens forward Darren Britt to their disciplinary panel.