By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 13:23, Thursday, 25 September 2008

Saia Makisi is on his way out of Whitehaven just as the club reveal the capture of Aussie playmaker Dan Russell – but the Tongan import may yet book a return ticket to the Recre.

Saia Makisi

Russell has snapped up the club’s only available overseas quota place, though Haven believe the RFL may relax the rules to allow them to take a second import, which would pave the way for Makisi’s return. In the meantime, he is to switch to the French game next term.

“Saia’s been a very good player for us,” said coach Ged Stokes. “He wants to stay, but he signed for only a year and his commitment is finished.

“He also wants to look around the rugby league world, which is fine. He’s intent on going to France and to carry on his career there at the moment.

“If we do get the quota spot up to two, he can come back.”

Makisi missed five of Haven’s opening nine games of the campaign but featured in the last 22, at centre, stand-off and loose-forward.

There is a recent precedent for an overseas star leaving the club for a short spell, only to later return.

Leroy Joe was reluctantly released in 2000 due to quota restrictions and signed for Hull KR.

The stand-off was back at Haven in 2001 and went on to score 50 first-team tries over the following three seasons.

Makisi’s departure is not thought to be directly linked to Russell’s arrival.

Stokes rubbished claims that Haven had splashed out on a massive contract to attract the 25-year-old, Gateshead’s key player in their march to the NL2 title this term.

Thunder coach Dave Woods was this week reported to have claimed Haven had offered their skipper “ridiculous” money to switch to the Recre. “There have been suggestions we’ve broken the bank to get him. But we are in no position to do that,” Stokes said.

“One of the reasons he’s come here is that his partner has job prospects in the area.”

Russell, whose girlfriend is a radiographer, joined Thunder this year from Aussie side Mount Pritchard, who play in the Jim Beam Cup.

First published at 11:51, Thursday, 25 September 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk