The Henry Paul contract saga was thrown into more confusion today after an acrimonious split with his agent.

It follows Aussie side Canterbury Bulldogs' decision yesterday to withdraw from the race to sign the Kiwi star amid claims that he was using them to bump up the terms of a possible deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

"I'm disappointed with Henry," said his agent Simon Burgess. "I think Henry has got too many third parties involved and it might be clouding his judgement. I think he might regret his decision not to test himself in the NRL."

Paul is now believed to favour a switch of codes which would allow him to be nearer his wife and young son in Auckland.

Henry, who has an English grandparent, appears to have ruled out a move to English rugby union, but he could switch codes in his native country after receiving offers from Super 12 outfits Auckland Blues and Waikato Chiefs, which would put him in line for an All Blacks call-up.

However, Bulls coach Brian Noble insists his ace goal-kicker could still reject offers from abroad and re-sign for the Super League leaders.

Noble says: "I'm still pretty hopeful that he'll stay with us. I don't think it's cut and dried that he's going elsewhere. I know he's had some substantial offers from elsewhere, but he's also had a substantial offer from us."

Paul, who has piled up 231 points in Super League so far this year, will end the guessing game after collecting his 23rd Test cap tomorrow against Australia in Wellington, but Noble expects him to return to Bradford before making an announcement.

"Henry will come home first and weigh up all his options," said Noble. "He's been black and white throughout, I'll give him credit for that. He hasn't made his mind up and he won't make his decision until he looks at what is in the basket.

"I'll be one of the first to know. But he won't make a decision until he gets back from New Zealand. It's probably the biggest move of his career, and I understand the time he's taking over that. It shows we're still in the frame because he hasn't made his mind up yet."