Kiwi injuries force Hoppe to return

New Zealand's record try-scorer, Sean Hoppe, will come out of retirement to patch up the Kiwis' injury-ravaged back-line for the third Test on Saturday.

Hoppe officially retired after playing for St Helens against the tourists last month, but has been called up to fill the gap left by the loss of Clinton Toopi with a broken hand. The Kiwi coach, Gary Freeman, also expects to be without Robbie Paul, leaving him with just six fit backs. "It's a blow losing Clinton, but Sean is a likely contender to come into the side," Freeman said.

With little time to send for a replacement from New Zealand, Hoppe's availability is a huge relief for Freeman, who has also conceded that Paul is unlikely to play after having 10 stitches in a knee gash. "The cut is right down to the bone and the wound would open up straight away," he said. "The big bonus is that we are replacing one good player with another."

That replacement will be David Vaealiki, the full-back who missed the first two Tests because of a virus. The other scrap of good news for Freeman is that David Solomona, who missed the second Test with a rib injury, is fit for Wigan.

For Great Britain, Terry O'Connor and Jamie Peacock have been cleared to play, but Adrian Morley's virus still makes him a doubt.

The Australian forward Heath Cruckshank has joined Halifax on a six-week trial.

Castleford have confirmed the signing of the Cronulla centre Paul Mellor.

The Welsh prop Dave Whittle has joined Chorley, along with two other Leigh players, Dave Ingram and Ian Hobson, and the former Warrington back-rower, Mike Peters.

Maurice Watkins, the Manchester United director and sports law expert, has joined the Rugby League as a non-executive director.