Dragons in Bird bid
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:11 pm
French side offer Australian new route into Super League
Greg Bird could finally seal his move to Super League, with the Catalans Dragons ready to offer him a lifeline after he was refused entry to the UK.
The Australian stand-off was due to join Bradford Bulls for the new season, but the British High Commission turned down his visa request due to his pending court case.
Former Cronulla man Bird is facing assault charges and, although he hopes to clear his name in Sydney on April 27, he will not be handed a visa until the case is settled.
Bird could now be handed a lifeline though, with the Catalans Dragons ready to sign him up and offer him the chance to play in Super League.
"I don't believe there will be a problem with him getting into France, like he has getting into the UK," Catalans general manager Christophe Levy told the Sydney Telegraph.
Quality
"They look upon things differently to France.
"We are looking for some quality forwards and Greg Bird is a quality forward."
The Dragons could also try and perform the same trick with Australian back-rower Michael Crocker, who was due to join Hull but was initially also denied a visa.
The Catalans celebrated a first win of the season at Warrington on Saturday, but they are struggling with injuries, especially to key forwards.
Sebastien Raguin, Jason Ryles and Casey McGuire are already out, while Dane Carlaw left the Warrington game early on after a high tackle from Ben Westwood.
With so many injuries, bringing in a couple of high-profile Australians would lift Kevin Walters' side for their upcoming campaign.
Wolves man Westwood was placed on report for the high shot on Carlaw by referee Jason Robinson, and Walters thinks he could face disciplinary action.
"I haven't looked at it properly but I'm sure, if it is judged to be illegal, the right people will deal with it," said Walters.
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