Takeover delay costs Wakefield but Murphy stays loyal

The 23-year-old, who scored two tries in Wakefield’s 40-20 opening-day defeat by Castleford on Saturday, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Giants.

He leaves Belle Vue 24 hours after the administrators running Wakefield accepted an offer from Hull for half-back Sam Obst.

The Wildcats, who went into administration on Friday, thought they had gained new owners when agreement was reached for the purchase of the club by local businessman Andrew Glover acting on behalf of ‘Spirit of 1873’.

But talks to complete the deal have yet to be completed and the administrators, O’Hara and Company, are within their rights to sell assets in order to pay creditors.

It is thought Huddersfield also made a bid to sign Wakefield’s promising centre Aaron Murphy but he decided to remain loyal to the club.

Already with a weakened squad, the latest losses are a body blow to coach John Kear as he tries to assemble a team to fly to Perpignan for Saturday’s Super League game against Catalan Dragons.

Leeds have accused the UK Border Agency of discriminating against rugby league players.

Angered by their inability to give new signing Weller Hauraki his debut in last Sunday’s Engage Super League opener, the Rhinos have asked their local MP, Greg Mulholland, and the Rugby Football League to investigate the hold-ups in applications for work permits and visas.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “It is our belief that rugby league players appear to be treated differently to other professional sportsmen when applying for work permits and visas and we have asked our MP to investigate on our behalf. The treatment of Weller Hauraki has been disgraceful. He has been waiting over two months and was denied an appearance last Sunday in the opening round of Super League.”

The UK Border Agency have yet to make any comment on Leeds’ criticisms.

South Wales Scorpions will make their Carnegie Challenge Cup debut at home to Dewsbury.

The Scorpions were formed too late to enter the competition in their inaugural season in 2010 but landed a home tie when the third-round draw was made.

Super League clubs enter in the fourth round on May 7 and 8.

Third-round draw (March 5 and 6): Siddal v Widnes, Milford v Gateshead, London Sk v Egremont, Oldham v Hunslet W, Batley v Fryston or Dudley Hill, Sheffield v Leeds Met Univ, Whitehaven v Lezignan, Hunslet v Warrington W, Rochdale v Workington Featherstone v Army, Doncaster v Thatto Heath, Northumbria Univ v York, South Wales v Dewsbury, Barrow v Leigh M, Keighley v Toulouse, Leigh C v Hull Dockers, Swinton v East Hull, Halifax v Castleford LL.