Bulls coach Matthew Elliott today had a sympathetic word for Stuart Fielden and Scott Naylor after their Great Britain Nines dreams were cruelly shattered just hours after their shock call-up.

The Bulls pair were told of their selection for the ten-nation tournament yesterday morning but by the afternoon word came through that the South African organisers had scrapped it after sponsors pulled out through lack of television coverage.

Elliott said: "It's not good news for the game as a whole and it is a big disappointment for Scott and Stuart.

"But I have told them both that their chance will come again. The good thing for them is that this shows they are in the minds of the Great Britain staff."

Elliott admitted to having mixed emotions at the Nines cancellation though as it means he will now have his full squad together right through to the big Challenge Cup kick-off on Sunday, February 14.

In addition to Fielden and Naylor, winger Tevita Vaikona (Tonga) and Robbie and Henry Paul (New Zealand) were due to take part ruling them out of the final warm-up game against Wakefield on Sunday, February 7.

Meanwhile the fall-out from the South Africans decision to pull the plug was continuing today.

RFL chief executive Neil Tunnicliffe said: "We are disappointed that the World Nines will not now be taking place this year but we understand the reasons for the postponement.

"We are assured by Barry Haslam, chairman of the South Africa Rugby League, that this does not affect the development of rugby league in South Africa in the longer term.

"There is no doubt over the Test match scheduled for November between New Zealand and Great Britain at Ellis Park nor the World Nines in 2000 and 2001."

Sky Sports defended their decision not to screen the World Nines.

"We were not told about the event until December 21 and they were faxed back with our decision within 24 hours," said Andy Melvin, deputy managing director of Sky Sports.

"It's an enormous logistical exercise and there was far too little notice to schedule it. It's normally done six months or a year in advance.

"Whatever the reasons for the collapse of the event, to blame it on Sky Sports seems a bit strange."

l St Helens have completed the signing of Sonny Nickle on a three year contract after the former Great Britain forward was released by the Bulls.

Nickle, 29, is joining Saints for the second time in his career after leaving Knowsley Road three years ago in the deal which took Paul Newlove from Odsal.

Nickle said: "Other Super League clubs also made me offers but I'm delighted to be going back to Saints. I was in no hurry to leave in the first place but circumstances forced my departure."

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