Rugby League: Elliott begins trawl for talent as Bulls look to rebuild

The Super League champions Bradford Bulls began their rebuilding plans for next season with the transfer-listing of two of their championship- winning players.

The former Great Britain centre Paul Loughlin and Scotland winger Gary Christie were put up for sale as the coach Matthew Elliott stepped up the search for fresh talent.

"We couldn't agree on a new deal with Paul Loughlin and Gary Christie," said Elliott. "We haven't put a fee on them but we are in negotiations with a couple of clubs."

The Bulls have been linked with London's veteran scrum-half Shaun Edwards, the St Helens centre Alan Hunte and the Warrington forward Paul Sculthorpe.

The imminent loss of two of his threequarters will inevitably increase speculation over the future of Great Britain player Hunte, who has made no secret of his desire to leave Knowsley Road.

Elliott said: "As much as I would like to think Alan Hunte would be a Bradford player, I don't think it's a realistic possibility. I am interested in all quality players but people don't tend to let quality players go. I would be interested in Steve Renouf but I don't think I'll get him."

Elliott admitted, however, that he hoped to secure a number of deals within a month to avoid prolonged close-season speculation.

"It's important that the squad evolves, that's part of the game," he said. "But I think you are looking at one or two deals rather than three or four."

The expected departure of Loughlin and Christie will rule them out of Bradford's World Club Championship quarter-final with Auckland Warriors next month. Loughlin, 31, who has 15 Great Britain caps, arrived at Odsal two years ago in the world-record transfer deal that took Paul Newlove to St Helens, while 25-year-old Christie, who played for Scotland against France in July, was signed from Wakefield in 1994.

The Brisbane Broncos won the inaugural Australian Super League title on Saturday with a 26-8 win over Cronulla in the grand final.

The Broncos outscored the Cronulla by four tries to one to record a comfortable and expected victory. Steve Renouf starred for the home team with a hat- trick of tries while the veteran winger Michael Hancock chipped in with a late touchdown. The Brisbane full-back Darren Lockyer kicked five goals from six attempts.

The Broncos were always in control, leading 10-2 at the halftime interval.