Sharks testing water for SBW and Cooper
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has confirmed that the Sharks have made inquiries about luring Sonny Bill Williams and Quade Cooper to the NRL, and he believes the move could be the saviour of the club, if successful. As revealed in last Saturday's Herald, the Sharks asked Lance Thompson - a recent addition to Cronulla's coaching staff - to contact the star duo's manager, Khoder Nasser, about the possibility of them switching codes. ''Lance is good mates with him [Nasser], so I just asked him to see where they were at and what their plans were,'' Flanagan told SinBin. ''We would probably have to sell a floor of the leagues club to be able to afford them but it is the sort of thing that could turn our club around. If they were to come it would create massive interest for the club and sponsors would want to get on board.'' Cooper is set to sign a one-year extension with the ARU that would see him off contract again at the same time Williams's agreement precluding his playing for another NRL club before 2013 expires.
UNHAPPY ISRAEL
Speculation that Israel Folau is also set to return to the NRL won't go away, with SinBin told the AFL convert was sick of the constant dieting he has to endure. The former Test star has already been linked with Newcastle, Penrith and Parramatta next season.
