Bradford told they must pay transfer fee for Platt

Bradford will have to pay a transfer fee if they want to sign the full-back, Michael Platt, from Castleford. The Bulls announced the signing of the former Salford

and Rochdale player when Castleford were relegated from the Super League, in the belief that he was a free agent.

However, a Rugby League tribunal has now ruled that he did not have a release clause in his contract and he remained a Cas player, which means that Bradford will have to negotiate a transfer if he is to be the successor to Michael Withers, who has joined Wigan. "We will be speaking to his agent over the next few days to work out a way forward," said a Castleford spokesman.

Leeds' new signing, Kylie Leuluai, will begin his effort to make an impact at the club against Wakefield on Boxing Day. The New Zealand-born prop arrived at Headingley this week after delaying his departure for the birth of his son.

His career with his Australian club, Manly Sea Eagles, has been largely as a substitute, but he has ambitions to play a more central role with the Rhinos. "I will have to work hard to earn my place in the squad and prove to people why I was brought in," said Leuluai, who played club rugby in New Zealand with his new Rhinos team-mates, Clinton Toopi and Ali Lauitiiti. "That starts on Boxing Day and I can't wait," he added.

Two newly signed Widnes players will make their debuts against their former club in another of the dwindling number of Boxing Day friendlies. Toa Kohe-Love and Paul Noone are both in line to face Warrington, for whom they played last season.

Australia have reappointed Ricky Stuart as their coach for another season after their victory over Great Britain and New Zealand in this autumn's Tri-Nations.