/ 3 November 1999

JOOST TO DEFECT?

NEW Zealand Rugby Football Union chief executive David Moffett, who has taken the job as head of Australia’s Super League competition, is expected to be the first of several defections to rugby league after the World Cup. Star players like Joost van der Westhuizen and Jonah Lomu are targets for clubs in Australia and Britain. THe Bok scrumhalf and skipper is coy about his future plans, but is known to be a target for leading Sydney rugby league side Cronulla Sharks when his contract expires after the Cup. “Obviously anything can happen after the tournament,” van der Westhuizen said. “At this stage were in discussion with the SARFU and also the Blue Bulls province at home. But nothing is finalised.” Lomu, the blockbusting New Zealand wing who has scored eight tries in the tournament, is being sought by New Zealand side the Auckland Warriors, as well as English club Leeds.