Oh brother, Sculthorpe Senior hears the call of the Wildcats
John Kear hopes to broker a deal to unite two-time Man of Steel Paul Sculthorpe with younger brother Danny at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats next season.
The Wakefield coach yesterday confirmed his interest in the former Great Britain captain who is leaving St Helens after 11 years.
‘I know Paul has always wanted to play in a professional side alongside Danny and if I can facilitate that on the right terms, I will do,’ said Kear.
Breaking free: Sculthorpe is leaving Saints and could join his brother at Wakefield
‘Obviously there is a question mark over Paul’s durability because of the injuries he has had and that has been reflected in the number of appearances he has made in the last two years.
‘That will be taken into consideration when we talk to Paul’s agent but if we can come to some agreement, I will be delighted. I am excited at the prospect of Paul playing for Wakefield.’
Kear’s immediate concern is to halt Wakefield’s dramatic slump. A seven-match losing streak has seen them miss out on a trip to Wembley in the Carnegie Challenge Cup and almost certainly on the Super League play-offs.
Wakefield still have a chance of overhauling Bradford Bulls but an eighth consecutive defeat, at Wigan on Friday night,, must be a distinct possibility.
Wigan, with stand off Trent Barrett returning after a hamstring strain, will be guaranteed a play-off place if they win and still believe they can finish fourth to earn a home tie in the knock-out stages.
At least Kear knows his own future at Wakefield is secure after the club had to refute a local radio report earlier this week that he had quit.
‘I have a contract here and this is the first hiccup Wakefield have had since I came to the club,’ said Kear.
‘If people think I am going to walk away at the first sign of adversity, they don’t know me. The report upset me a great deal.’
Leeds Rhinos will be guaranteed a top-two finish if they win their last home game of the regular season against bottom club Castleford Tigers on Friday.
Rhinos have second rower Ali Lauitiiti back after suspension but will be without top try-scorer Scott Donald who popped a rib cartilage in last Friday’s win against Bradford Bulls.
Harlequins full back Mark McLinden has been released from the final year of his contract and will leave the London club at the end of the season.
Quins coach Brian McDermott said: ‘I don’t want to be losing one of my best players but Marty has expressed a desire to return home to Australia and, looking at the quota restrictions for next year, it suits him and the club.’
