Former South Sydney half-back, Joe Williams was all but pencilled in to take the field against Whitehaven this Sunday, when the UK Border Agency in Canberra, pulled the plug on his application approval.


"We were stunned," said rugby manager, Neil Kelly.
"We hade been assured that everything was going through, and despite an administrative hitch that had delayed the work permit, he was on his way.
"And then last Friday, we got the bombshell that his application had been rejected.
"Obviously we are disappointed – Joe and his family are disappointed – but we have to move on and start to look were we can fill that particular void in our playing strength for this season and next."


For Leigh this was a second big blow in a week as the O'Neill's trading outlet at the Leigh Sports Village also announced that it would be closing.


In a statement from O'Neill's a spokesman said: "Despite ongoing efforts to keep the outlet open, we have been fighting a losing battle due to the limited footfall within Leigh Sports Village, allowing for minimal sales and mounting costs required to keep the facility running."
"However we would like to re-assure all Leigh Centurions Supporters that our relationship with the club is as strong as it has ever been, and we are still fully committed to our contractual agreement in terms of kit supply to both the club and their fans."


The vastly experienced Stuart Donlan is a major doubt for Leigh Centurions Cooperative Championship trip to Whitehaven this Saturday. The versatile three-quarter was injured in Leigh's disappointing home defeat by Gateshead 11 days ago, and has still not recovered.
"We are not giving up on him being fit in time," said coach Paul Rowley. "But he is a major doubt and that would be a blow to us. This is a tough league and we need all our experience out there to ensure we compete. We need a win, but who doesn't. It is so competitive that one result can push you into the play-offs or nearer the relegation battle, and nobody wants to be involved in that. We will wait to see whether he is fit at the weekend, but the good news is that Mick Nanyn is available again.


"It will be a very tough fixture, but if we apply ourselves right, there is no reason why we cannot come back with the win."
Nanyn, who missed the Gateshead game with a virus, played at the Recreation Ground in 2003 and 2005, and amassed 704 points from 234 goals and 59 tries in just 56 games.


Whitehaven are in sixth spot, three points better off than eighth placed Leigh, who have a game in hand, but with plenty of top players around the field including the highly rated Carl Rudd and Greg McNally at half back and forwards Karl Edmondson, Howard Hill and Leroy Joe.