Rugby League: Ferres stunned as Schofield steps in

Huddersfield have begun to behave like a Super League club before even becoming one by sacking their coach, Steve Ferres, and replacing him with Garry Schofield.

Huddersfield, fast-tracked into Super League in place of Paris after finishing as runners-up in last season's First Division, have dismissed Ferres with two years of his contract remaining, saying that they need a full-time coaching staff.

Into the breach comes the former Great Britain captain, Schofield, and his assistant, Phil Veivers, who will both remain on the playing register. The two will now spend time with the Brisbane Broncos, whose coach, Wayne Bennett, is Veivers' brother-in-law as well as a former Huddersfield player.

Most Super League clubs sacked their coaches at some stage last season. "Coaching is not a secure job and I am the latest victim," said Ferres, who was at Hunslet before taking charge at the McAlpine Stadium last October and leading them to the First Division Premiership at Old Trafford last month. "To say that I am devastated is an understatement."

Australia have declared their controversial forward, Gorden Tallis, off limits to the media during the run-up to the deciding third Test at Elland Road on Sunday.

Tallis, the object of criticism after a rugged display at Old Trafford on Saturday, is the one Australian player not available for interviews this week as his coach, John Lang, tries to take the pressure off him. Lang is confident of having Bradley Clyde available for the first time in the series as he has now recovered from a calf injury and started training.

Great Britain report a clean bill of health and their coach, Andy Goodway, could today name his side, which is likely to be unchanged.

The Rugby League is investigating the circumstances of the takeover of Batley, which saw the club's chairman, Trevor Hobson, ousted at a shareholders' meeting last week.