LONDON, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Bradford Bulls' captain Paul Deacon could miss the last five games of the season after suffering a hamstring injury, the club said on Thursday.

The 29-year-old scrum-half has struggled with the injury all season - missing seven weeks - but made a comeback two games ago.

SYDNEY, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Rugby League World Cup organisers restated player eligibility rules Thursday for the 10 nations taking part, which were preparing to submit interim squads this week ahead of the 2008 competition.

SYDNEY, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - Result of an Australian National Rugby League match played Monday:

St George Illawarra Dragons 30 Canterbury Bulldogs 0

New Zealand Warriors 8 Melbourne Storm 6

Newcastle Knights 39 South Sydney Rabbitohs 12

Sydney Roosters 34 Manly Sea Eagles 12

Canberra Raiders 46 Gold Coast Titans 4

SYDNEY, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - Australian National Rugby League club Canterbury Bulldogs said it was checking its legal options Monday after star forward Sonny Bill Williams walked out to play rugby in France.

LONDON, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Hull saw off a spirited fightback from a Wakefield side coached by their former boss John Kear to secure a 32-24 win on Saturday that booked their place in next month's Challenge Cup final at Wembley against St Helens.

Hull raced into an 18-0 lead inside nine minutes at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium before Wakefield fought back.

SYDNEY, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Shock defeats by premiership contenders Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm gave the Sydney Roosters the chance to make up some lost ground in this weekend's Australian National Rugby League.

The Roosters bolted to an 18-0 lead in the opening 12 minutes on the way to upsetting competition leaders Manly 34-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.

SYDNEY, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - Results of Australian National Rugby League matches played on Sunday:

New Zealand Warriors 8 Melbourne Storm 6

Newcastle Knights 39 South Sydney Rabbitohs 12

Sydney Roosters 34 Manly Sea Eagles 12

Canberra Raiders 46 Gold Coast Titans 4

Penrith Panthers 24 Wests Tigers 10

LONDON, July 26, 2008 (AFP) - Holders St Helens overcame intense the unusual, intense heat in Huddersfield and a spirited Leeds recovery to win Saturday's semi-final of English rugby league's Challenge Cup 26-16.

MARSEILLE, July 26, 2008 (AFP) - French Second Division champions Toulon denied on Saturday they had signed New Zealand rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams as had been reported by his rugby league club Canterbury.

Mourad Boudjellal, Toulon's president, told AFP that Williams and the club had spoken a while ago but there was no deal.

SYDNEY, July 26, 2008 (AFP) - New Zealand rugby league international forward Sonny Bill Williams has abruptly left his NRL club Canterbury to switch codes and play for French club Toulon, his club said Saturday.