Tuesday 23 June 2015 21:04, UK
Former New Zealand full-back Kevin Locke has had his shock resignation accepted by the Salford Red Devils.
During a lively press conference on Tuesday at the AJ Bell Stadium, it was also announced that Australia's national coach Tim Sheens had agreed to take up the role of director of rugby at the Super League club.
It is Locke though who will grab the headlines who seems to have been granted the green light for leaving the club five days after tendering his resignation as a player.
The 26-year-old, who has not played for the Red Devils since May 1, was viewed as a marquee signing when he joined the Red Devils on a three-and-a-half-year deal from New Zealand Warriors over a year ago.
Devils owner Marwan Koukash said: "I genuinely would like to wish Kevin all the very best. It's a shame it didn't work out. I'd still like to see him in Super League."
Locke, who played for the Kiwis in the 2013 World Cup final at Old Trafford, has endured a turbulent time at the club, playing in just 13 out of a possible 27 matches since making his debut at Huddersfield last July.
Injuries have played a factor but Koukash has made it clear in recent weeks that he was prepared to listen to offers for the player and Locke held talks with the Scottish Rugby Union about a potential switch of codes earlier in the year.
Richard Cramer, a Leeds-based sports lawyer who is acting for the player, revealed last week that Locke's grievance was related to non-payment of wages.
Koukash refuted claims by Locke and Tony Puletua that they are owed wages and dismissed rumours of winding-up orders.
Quoted on the club's Twitter account, Koukash said: "In March, Kevin had agreed with his manager that he still owed the club a five figure sum. Since then we have collected this. My responsibility as the owner is to pay players. How they manage their finances is their own responsibility.
"If anything we have paid players early. This month for example all staff here at the club have been paid 12 days early. I would like to make it clear to everyone, that since I took over the club that players have always been played on time, in full.
I would like to make it clear to everyone, that since i took over the club that player's have always been played on time, in full.
"Don't go out there and say you haven't been paid. People who do that are liars and money-grabbers."
Regarding player recruitment, Koukash added: "I'm very tempted to reveal some names of players we would like to see at the club but I'll save that for another day."
The impending arrival of Sheens was a more positive announcement for the Devils. The 64-year-old spent a month with the club working in an advisory role earlier this year and will now return in a formal capacity.
Koukash said at the news conference: "I hope (Sheens) will be with us in a week or so. Tim is on a short-term contract until the end of the season but it wouldn't surprise me if he stayed on for two more years after that.
"He will help the club in many ways. I want to invest in youth and I need Tim's help to ensure we recruit the players who will be proud to play for the club. Iestyn Harris is still the head coach. He has worked with Tim Sheens before and Tim's appointment has no bearing on Harris' position."
I need Tim's help to ensure we recruit the right people to this club.
With his 12-month contract set to expire at the end of this year - and with Australia not playing a Test match until the mid-season clash against the Kiwis next year - Sheens' seven-year stint as Kangaroos coach looks to be over.
Sheens has had a historic tenure as Kangaroos coach, highlighted by Australia's dominance during their 2013 World Cup success and only Bob Fulton, with 40 Tests, has coached Australia more times. Sheens won 26 of his 31 Tests in control, although the Kangaroos have lost their past three games against the Kiwis.
