Bulls quiet on Deacon move

Bradford fail to quash Deacon rumours

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 13th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bulls quiet on Deacon move

Deacon: Rumoured for Wigan move

I cannot comment, it's all rumour and speculation

Stuart Duffy
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Bradford are keeping quiet on reports linking skipper Paul Deacon with a shock move to Wigan, branding them as "all rumour and speculation".

Scrum-half Deacon, 30, who hails from and lives in Wigan, is reportedly set to link up with new Warriors coach Michael Maguire, with the Bulls rumoured to already have his replacement lined-up in Australian Matt Orford.

It has been suggested that 31-year-old Orford is ready to depart the reigning world club champions Manly Sea Eagles in favour of the Super League.

If Orford were to join the Bulls he would line-up alongside three of his former Manly team-mates, with prop Glenn Hall granted his visa and set to reunite with Steve Menzies and Heath L'Estrange next season.

Manly chairman Scott Penn is adamant that Orford will be staying put next year and has described the reports as "hearsay", but the former Melbourne Storm half-back is out of contract with a new deal yet to be agreed.

Success

Deacon has experienced notable success at Odsal after signing from Oldham in 1998 but it seems unlikely the Warriors would sign someone in the twilight of their career, particularly with international half-backs Thomas Leuluai and Sam Tomkins in their ranks.

However, it is thought that the move to the DW Stadium would include a coaching role to the club's juniors alongside half-back cover and a mentoring role with 20-year-old Tomkins.

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagen has kept quiet on the reports, while Bradford manager Stuart Duffy said: "I cannot comment, it's all rumour and speculation."