SYDNEY - Kiwis captain Richie Barnett is poised to become the latest to join the exodus of players from NRL clubs to Britain.
Barnett's manager, Sam Ayoub, said the Sydney Roosters back had agreed to a two-year contract with the London Broncos, to be signed within days.
Barnett has not played since
suffering a horrific facial injury in New Zealand's 52-0 loss to Australia on his 29th birthday in late April.
The injury is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season, including the World Cup in October, but Ayoub said it was not a reason for the move.
"It was an opportunity for him to take up another challenge and secure some good financial terms."
Barnett, a 20-test veteran, has a year to go on his existing contract with the Roosters. He joined the team in 1998 after four seasons with Cronulla.
Roosters halfback Adrian Lam is off to join Wigan, and the departure of the pair should give the Roosters enough leeway under the salary cap to re-sign skipper Brad Fittler and try to secure Melbourne halfback Brett Kimmorley.
- NZPA
