Rugby League: Broncos man to coach Eagles

Sheffield Eagles have named Bill Gardner, the reserve-grade coach at the Brisbane Broncos, as their new coach, writes Dave Hadfield. Gardner, who will arrive in July on a two- year contract, will take over from the club's chairman, Gary Hetherington, who announced that he was standing down from his coaching role last month.

Gardner, who was linked with Wigan and Castleford, has been closely involved for four seasons with Brisbane's rise to win the Australian premiership last year. He was also the coach of the Australian student side which won the Student World Cup in England in 1989.

'I was looking for someone who was used to working in a very successful environment,' said Hetherington, who will continue to run off-field matters as team manager. 'Bill Gardner fits the bill perfectly.'

Representatives of 12 First Division clubs who feel they have problems in common met last night to discuss a joint approach to finding solutions. Among the ideas circulating is a moratorium on poaching each other's players when they come out of contract.