Rugby League: Wigan abandon ideal deal

WIGAN have renounced their interest in the Australian full-back, Andrew Ettingshausen, after his agent made their approach public.

Ettingshausen, who played in all three Tests against Great Britain in the recent series, was seen as an ideal overseas signing with Gene Miles still deciding whether to return and Sam Panapa free to leave after rejecting a new contract.

'Andrew would have been a very good addition, but someone chose to make the matter public,' said the Wigan vice-chairman, Maurice Lindsay, who is managing Great Britain's tour in New Zealand. 'It is not Wigan's style to be mentioned when negotiations are taking place between a player and his existing club, so we have washed our hands of it.' Wigan will now have to look elsewhere for a player to fill their overseas quota, even if Miles gives them the answer they want next week.

The club has agreed a new contract with Martin Dermott, in the week when he faces a new challenge for his position as Great Britain hooker from his old rival, Lee Jackson. 'Martin joined Wigan on his 17th birthday and it is good that, after all the success he has had, he still wants to stay with Wigan,' Lindsay said.

Dermott is playing in the match against Auckland today, the first of the New Zealand leg of the tour, leaving Jackson in pole position.