RUGBYFORUMXIII

WAKEFIELD QUERY PONGIA DEAL
Posted 12.30pm. Saturday 21st June '03.

According to the BBC, Wakefield have questioned Wigan's signing of former New Zealand Test prop Quentin Pongia a month after they failed to secure a work permit for the player.

Wildcats representative Trevor Brown says he met the 33-year-old Pongia for talks during his spell with French club Villeneuve Leopards and agreed personal terms only to be denied by red tape.

"We want to know how Wigan are able to sign Pongia when we were told by the League that they would not sanction a work permit," said Brown.

Wigan announced the short-term signing of the former Canberra forward after concluding a deal brokered by former Wigan and New Zealand coach Frank Endacott and Wigan are likely to want to give him his debut against Castleford next Friday.

PONGIA TO PLAY LAST DRAGONS GAME TOMORROW
20 June 2003


Kiwi international Quentin Pongia will complete a short stint with the Dragons tomorrow night against the Rabbitohs before heading to England on Sunday.

Pongia, 33, who has played one Premier League and one NRL match with the Dragons since arriving from a playing stint in France three weeks ago, has been released to join Wigan on a two-year deal.

He will still take his place in the Dragons starting line-up at prop against the Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium tomorrow night (7.30pm kick-off).

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said Pongia had signed with St George Illawarra for this season only and the club was not in a position to match Wigan's offer, which should see out his career.

"As much as we would like him to stay and could have insisted he finish the season, it is not in the best interests of the player," Doust said.