Hunslet dispute Hasty move

Hull KR will decide on their new coach at their board meeting tonight but face a battle to keep one of their new signings.

Hunslet claim that the National League Two Player of the Year, Phil Hasty, is still with them, despite being announced as a signing by Rovers in October.

"There is no signed deal between Hull KR and Phil Hasty, and Phil is still under contract to Hunslet for another 12 months," the club's coach, Roy Sampson, said. "He has trained with our squad this week."

Rovers' chief executive, Nick Halafihi, has called that "a pack of lies" and added: "We signed him on a one-year deal months ago. He has been training very well with us and denies any reports that he has been back with Hunslet."

Meanwhile, two new applications could deny Martin Hall the coaching job at the club after the former Rochdale coach was the clear favourite for the post.

"We have had an application from someone who has been a head coach in the NRL in Australia within the last 12 months and another application we would favour even above that one," Halafihi said.

Warrington have given a one-year, full-time contract to Richard Varkulis, who impressed them with 30 tries in 24 games for their Under-21 side last season.

The Great Britain centre Keith Senior has agreed a contract extension that will keep him at Leeds until 2004.

The British game will get a further indication of how it is progressing at youth level when the England Academy Under-17 side play the Australian Institute of Sport at the South Leeds Stadium tonight. The Australians, coached by Brian Johnson and John Monie, are unbeaten in their warm-up matches.

Salford hope that their partnership with the American casino company Isle of Capri will strengthen their chances of building a new stadium at Barton.