Lowes lifts Bulls in build-up to final

The Bradford hooker, James Lowes, is to play one more season with the Bulls, rather than attempt to finish his career in a blaze of glory in a Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Lowes had hinted at retirement, but has now agreed to stay on as a player as well as taking on some coaching responsibilities.

"It's great news for us before a big game like this,'' said the Bradford coach, Brian Noble. "He's been the form hooker in the competition this year and, in the end, he didn't take much convincing.''

Another Bradford front rower, Brian McDermott, is considering retirement however.

St Helens, Saturday's opponents, are hopeful of having their former Great Britain centre, Paul Newlove, fit for the grand final. Newlove was taken off on a stretcher after injuring a groin in last Friday's win over Wigan, but said yesterday: "It isn't as bad as I thought it was and I should find out whether I can play later in the week. I missed the Grand Final two years ago through illness and I'd hate it to happen again.''

Newlove's coach, Ian Millward, believes that Tommy Martyn has a better chance of playing after an arm injury.

Saints' Paul Sculthorpe has played down any possibility of switching codes to play for Leicester, who have made an enquiry about his availability. "I can't see myself doing anything but league, but it's important to listen to everyone,'' he said.

Sculthorpe, who has two full seasons left on his St Helens contract, said the lure of playing league in Australian would be a stronger attraction. "I'm very happy at Saints, but that's the other thing I'd be interested in doing,'' he said.

The New Zealand tourists will fly into Heathrow today without the Canterbury Bulldog's winger, Matt Utai, who made an impressive, try-scoring debut against Australia on Saturday. Utai has gone into hospital for pre-arranged surgery on his ankle and will not be replaced in the Kiwi squad.

The second rower Ali Lauiti'iti will miss the first game of the tour after being suspended for a high tackle in the Australian Grand Final.

The former New Zealand captain, Graeme West, has resigned as coach of Chorley Lynx. Hull KR's first overseas coach, Steve Linnane, is to be full time in the post, with the declared aim of joining their neighbours, Hull FC, in Super League.