Sorensen considering new deal with Widnes

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 42

Sorensen considering new deal with Widnes

PA London Widnes’ Kiwi test star, Kurt Sorensen, is considering a new deal which will tie him to the English rugby league champion for the rest of his playing career. Widnes has offered its 32-year-old skipper a two-year extension to his current contract, which still has a year to run.

The move follows speculation that other English clubs are interested in signing Sorensen as a player coach. The Widnes coach, Doug Laughton, said: “It’s true that other clubs have been snif fing around but we want Kurt to stay with us and we think he’s happy here. “I shall be sitting down with Kurt in the next few days to discuss the matter but I am confident that he won’t be leaving.” Laughton said Sorensen, who has been with Widnes for the past five years, was an integral part of his future plans.

“He’s not only valuable to the side, he’s valuable for the things he does off the field as well,” he said.

“He is on the coaching staff and since we put him on that we have had nothing but success.

"Everybody gives me the credit but a lot of it is his as well.”

Sorensen is hoping to make the Kiwi side to tour Great Britain later this year although he won’t be returning home for the trials. “Kurt is at the stage of his career when he should not have to play trials,” Laughton said.

“If New Zealand don’t know what he can do they want their heads examining. “If I was in charge I would make him skipper because he could do that job very well.” Laughton predicted that the Kiwis would find it hard to win the Ashes with so many good Great Britain players on the scene.

“It’s mainly thanks to the Australians and the Kiwis coming here,” he said. “They have made the standard that much better. All players now approach the game in the same vein as they do. They now know it’s not a hobby, its a religion, a

way of life.” Laughton confirmed that the other two Kiwis in the Widnes side, Emosi Koloto and Joe Grima, would be returning to New Zealand yesterday for the trials.

Of Koloto, who has just completed the first season of a 10-year contract, Laughton said: "He’s a tremendous

player, the new Kurt Sorensen.” Sorensen said later he would like to stay at Widnes despite offers from other sides to join them as playercoach. “If the terms are right then I will be happy to stay,” he said. He refused to name the interested clubs except to say that they were in the premier division. "I can't be too specific because I am contracted to Widnes for next season. But the next move I make will definitely be the last,” he said. One incentive for Sorensen to remain with Widnes is that he has recently set up in business in the town, running two night clubs and a wine bar in partnership with the Widnes directors, Jim Mills and Sam Evans. He confirmed that he would not be returning home for the Kiwi trials to pick the squad to tour Great Britain but he would be available for selection.