Rugby League: Broncos back in hunt for forwards

THE LONDON BRONCOS are scouring Australia for a player to reinforce their pack after learning that another of their forwards will miss the start of the Super League season.

Shane Millard, the second-rower who made a good impression after arriving last season, needs an operation on a hernia and will be out for six weeks, missing the first two rounds of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup as well as the opening of the league campaign.

London have already sent home Marty McKenzie, the prop from Adelaide, without playing a game, because of a back injury. Their new coach, Dan Stains, hoped to enlist Adam Starr, a front-rower he worked with at Balmain, but he does not have a visa. "We will be phoning around clubs in Australia to find someone suitable," the Broncos' chief executive, Tony Rea, said. "It is particularly important that we are strong in the front row."

London, who have turned down Doncaster's suggestion that they should switch their cup tie on 14 February to the north, will play their televised Super League match on 9 May at their former home at Charlton Athletic. The club is not allowed to use the floodlights at The Stoop on Sunday nights.

Mini League South Africa, which has introduced thousands of children in the country's townships to an adapted version of the game, is discussing switching to Australian Rules, because the organisation is disillusioned with what it sees as a lack of support.

John Huxley, a journalist covering the game for 31 years, has been appointed as the Rugby League's media officer after five months working there as a consultant.