Rookie hookers sign long-term contracts with Rhinos

Paul McShane, 21, and Liam Hood, 19, have both signed four-year deals at Headingley Carnegie in readiness for the former Australian Test captain’s return to the NRL.

Buderus, 33, has another year on his contract but is widely expected to re-join Newcastle Knights in 2012.

Leeds coach Brian McDermott insists the player, who will be pivotal at Warrington tomorrow night as Rhinos fight for a place in the Grand Final, has not yet decided but will back him either way.

“Danny’s bouncing,” he said. “He had one of his best games of the season against Huddersfield on Friday.

“I don’t have too much of a comment on next year but whatever happens, he’ll have my full support.

“It’s been a pleasure to coach him this year.”

McShane spent time on loan at Hull last season and, while involved earlier this campaign, has seen his recent appearances reduced since McDermott started using scrum-half Rob Burrow as a replacement hooker.

However, he and the teenage Hood, who has yet to make his Super League debut but is seen as a possible future international, know they have big roles at the club given the length of their new contracts.

Rhinos assistant James Lowes, one of the modern game’s great hookers, said: “Both are good lads and have the potential to be top players.

“They work extremely well with Danny Buderus and will be pushing hard for a first-team place next season.

“I think the competition between them is a good thing and it will only improve.”

Centre Carl Ablett is set to return from concussion tomorrow, meaning Brett Delaney will switch to the second-row, but the injured Kallum Watkins is not included in Leeds’s 19-man squad.

Warrington are boosted by the likely return of their fearsome England second-row Ben Westwood after a knee injury kept him out for the last six weeks,

New Wakefield Trinity Wildcats head coach Richard Agar has taken his former Hull FC assistant James Webster with him to Belle Vue.

Webster, 32, quit the Black and Whites yesterday with 12 months left on his contract to sign a three-year deal.

Trinity have offered a backroom role to Paul Broadbent, who was assistant to former head coach John Kear, and say he is on holiday considering his response.