Waite puts emergency troops on standby for Australia

A shadow squad of Great Britain hopefuls will play Super League matches on Thursday night, not knowing whether they will be required to fly to Australia the following morning. Eleven players will take bags packed for a trip to Sydney to their club games, waiting for news on whether David Waite's original 19-man squad for the Test against Australia has been depleted by injury.

Those placed on stand-by are a mixture of experience and youth. John Stankevitch will be playing for St Helens at Hull, who have Garreth Carvell and Richard Horne waiting for the call. Bradford, at home to Widnes, have Leon Pryce, Paul Deacon, Mike Forshaw and James Lowes with passports at the ready. Gary Connolly and Stephen Wild will be playing for Wigan against Halifax, whilst Lee Briers and Nick Fozzard are at Leeds with Warrington.

The logistics of rushing players to the squad's overnight hotel at Manchester Airport could be a nightmare, but Waite believes he has cover for every position. Lee Harland and Danny Orr, due to play for Castleford at London on Saturday, are also ready to make a late dash on Thursday if required.

The most obvious injury doubt is their captain, Andy Farrell, who has missed his last three matches with a groin injury, but Great Britain manager Phil Clarke says that Farrell is "one hundred percent confident" of travelling and playing.

The Oldham coach, John Harbin, has left the club to switch sports with Oldham Athletic. The former Wakefield coach is to take up responsibility for conditioning and psychology at the football club.

Tony Smith has committed himself to coach Huddersfield next season, but only if they win promotion to Super League. Smith, who has been linked with the vacant job at Wests-Tigers, has a release clause in his new contract should he be offered a job in Australia.

Swinton have been given permission by the Rugby League to play at Salford City's football ground at Moor Lane for the rest of this season. The club has been at Bury for the last 10 years and has been playing temporarily at Leigh, but hopes to put down roots at Moor Lane, which is within walking distance of its old home at Station Road.

The Hull forward, Scott Logan, has extended his contract at the club until 2005.

Salford's Francis Maloney has been ordered to appear before a disciplinary hearing today after being placed on report for an alleged dangerous tackle in the win over Widnes.