Rugby League: McCallum to coach referees

THE leading Australian referee, Greg McCallum, has been given the job of improving refereeing standards in this country.

McCallum has been appointed referee coaching director on a two-year contract, beginning in October after he completes the Australian season. He will be in charge of monitoring the fitness and technical proficiency of referees, and involved in deciding match appointments.

There has been no formal leadership for referees in Britain since the controller of referees, Fred Lindop, was made redundant two years ago.

McCallum, who has refereed Great Britain in several Tests, is now out of contention for the Ashes series this autumn, leaving another Sydney referee, Bill Harrigan, as the favourite to step in and take charge.

Salford have agreed terms with Warrington for the former Great Britain captain, Mike Gregory. Warrington have meanwhile made a player-exchange offer to Widnes for Steve McCurrie, the Great Britain Under-21 captain and hooker.

Widnes are interested in taking the Warrington prop forward, Gary Tees, in the opposite direction and have offered a two-year contract to Vila Matautia, the Samoan centre released as part of Doncaster's financial cutbacks.