Huddersfield delighted with Simpson deal

Huddersfield have completed their squad for the Super League season by signing the South Sydney centre or wing, Jamie Simpson.

His arrival at the Galpharm on a three-year contract will help to fill the gap left by the loss of Paul Whatuira and Jamahl Lolesi, although he is likely to miss the start of the season while he waits for his work permit.

"It's great news for us and ends the search for an outside back that we have talked about for some time," said the Giants' coach, Nathan Brown. "Jamie has always scored tries and, at 24, his best years are in front of him."

The Hull KR forward, Rhys Lovegrove, will miss the first month of the season after damaging knee ligaments in training. Mike Ratu, the former Leeds centre who was with Rovers last season, has joined Halifax, along with the full-back, Ryan Fieldhouse. The son of the former Halifax and Great Britain forward, John Fieldhouse, is having trials with the club, starting with Sunday's friendly against Batley.

The Rugby League is to use the season-launching Millennium weekend in Cardiff next month to raise funds for the victims of the Queensland floods. The disaster has particular resonance for the game, with many of the state's clubs and players affected and its main stadium, the Suncorp in Brisbane, under several feet of water. "The fact the disaster is impacting on rugby league communities makes the scenes all the more touching," said the RFL's chief executive, Nigel Wood.

The former Zimbabwe international cricketer, Gus Mackay, has been appointed chief executive at Harlequins RL.