Laser culprit could be found

The Rugby League and Leeds United believe they could be able to identify the spectator who shone a laser at Kevin Sinfield during the World Club Challenge victory over Melbourne on Friday night.

The Rhinos’ captain complained of being dazzled by a green beam as he lined up a goal-kick.

Now it is thought that close-circuit television footage could reveal which seat among the 33,000 crowd the beam came from.

“Then it would be a question of checking the records for who booked that seat,” said the League’s communications manager, Craig Spence.

The League is taking no action over the other controversy arising out of the match, the suggestion in one Australian paper that Leeds’ Lee Smith bit Will Chambers.

“We can’t investigate what hasn’t been reported to us,” said Spence. “Under international rules, Melbourne would have had to make a report on the night.”

Leeds could be without Clinton Toopi for the rest of the season after dislocating his shoulder at Elland Road, whilst the extent of Danny McGuire shoulder injury is still to be assessed.

Wakefield’s Paul Reilly is the only player to be called in front of tonight’s disciplinary hearing, on a charge of tripping in the match at St Helens.

Two Saints’ players, James Graham and Mike Bennett, have been told that they have no case to answer – a relief to the club in view of their worsening injury list. As well as Paul Sculthorpe limping off with a tight hamstring, Sean Long is expected to miss at least three weeks with a knee injury.

Warrington’s Paul Wood is having examinations after dislocating his shoulder in his comeback match after surgery.

Four Whitehaven directors have resigned amid fears for the future of the club. The emergency board now running the club says it will not comment on its finances until its accounts for 2007 are finalised.