Leeds sign Buderus to raise doubts over Diskin future

Leeds have acquired a second international hooker for next season by signing the former Australian captain, Danny Buderus, from Newcastle Knights.

Rhinos' chief executive, Gary Hetherington, currently in Australia on a scouting operation, has clinched a two-year deal with the experienced front rower, who was his country's regular choice at No 9 until injury intervened.

Buderus has been recruited despite the club already having the Great Britain hooker Matt Diskin on their books, but Leeds denied he is being squeezed out. "Danny is the best hooker in Australia and I'm looking forward to seeing him link up with Matt Diskin," said the Rhinos' coach Brian McClennan

Leeds were thought to be in the market for a back rower to replace Gareth Ellis, who has agreed to join Wests Tigers on a three- year contract next season. Opting instead for a hooker will inevitably make Diskin wonder about his future, especially as there is an up-and-coming young specialist in the position at Leeds in Ben Kaye.

Kaye is likely to make his debut tonight deputising for Diskin, who has a one match ban, in the top of the table clash with Harlequins.

Hull, at home to Castleford tonight, have taken the French Test prop, Adel Fellous, on loan from Toulouse for the rest of the month. Fellous played for Catalan Dragons in their first two years in Super League before being released at the end of last season.

He comes straight into a Hull squad which is without Garreth Carvell, Ewan Dowes and Willie Manu through injury. "With three forwards out injured, we just felt we needed some extra strength with Easter coming up," said Hull chief executive, James Rule.

Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin has agreed a new four-year contract extension. The Great Britain loose forward's current contract was due to expire at the end of this season.

Alan Buckley, the former Swinton and Great Britain centre, has died aged 66. He won seven caps between 1963 and 1967 and was in the Swinton side that twice won the Championship.