Brent Webb Leeds Bound

Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah tonight responded to confirmation that long-serving fullback Brent Webb has taken up an offer to join English Super League club Leeds next season. Webb?s manager Jim Banaghan advised the club that the 25-year-old Kiwi international, who?s off contract at the end of the 2006 season, has signed a two-year contract with the Rhinos. ?We always held hope Brent would stay with us but we have been aware for some time that we would be unable to meet his financial expectations,? said Scurrah. ?While we?re pleased for him that he has secured his financial future we?re disappointed to see him go. ?Brent came to the club as an unheralded young player in 2002 and, in his time with the Vodafone Warriors, he has developed into a fine international fullback who is now able to command a lot of interest from other clubs.? Scurrah confirmed the Vodafone Warriors would go to the market seeking to sign a first-grade fullback and the club would also develop other young players to fill the role in the long term. ?Just yesterday we once again underlined our commitment to becoming a development club by announcing the signings of exciting young prospects Russell and Paora Packer out of Manawatu,? he said. Webb is due to make his 96th first-grade appearance for the Vodafone Warriors when they play South Sydney at Telstra Stadium tomorrow. He?s on course to become the 11th player to appear in 100 first-grade games for the club when the Vodafone Warriors face Penrith at CUA Stadium in round 21.