League: Hasler said nothing about Bulldogs - Foran

Kieran Foran. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis' and Manly halfback Kieran Foran says his suspended club coach Des Hasler has mentioned nothing to him about joining the Bulldogs and has described the implosion of the NRL premiers as "sad'' and "disappointing''.

Foran was scheduled to perform media duties in Leeds just two hours after Hasler was stood down by the Sea Eagles, amid reports he had tried to poach the five-eighth to join the Bulldogs in 2013. Foran still fronted a media scrum at the team hotel and said, despite a get-out clause with Manly, he would definitely be at Brookvale next year - even if the coach departed early.

The 21-year-old then rejected suggestions Hasler had even hinted at taking him to Belmore. "Honestly, I have not spoken to Dessie since grand final week,'' Foran said.

Hasler is now expected to join the Bulldogs a year earlier than anticipated, with Geoff Toovey likely to take over the Sea Eagles a year earlier than arranged. Hasler was suspended by Manly for "serious breaches of contract'', believed to be for trying to entice players to Belmore.

Asked if anyone had suggested he join the Dogs, Foran said: "No. I haven't had any contact. When I heard that, I don't know where that's come from, to be honest with you. It hasn't come from my mouth. I haven't spoken to Dessie and that's from the grand final week, presentation night.

"I do have the clause. I think that's well out there now, that I have the clause to leave if I want after next year but I'm there next year and I'm happy there.

"It's sad in my eyes because all the great work you did during the year as players and coaches, to go on and win the grand final, it's almost as though that's all been overshadowed by all the dramas that's going on in the club.

"The fans, players and coaches should be enjoying the fact we were able to win the premiership in 2011. Instead, all the other talk is about what's going on. In my eyes, it's a little bit disappointing.''

Foran was later quizzed on Radio Sport about whether he would consider quitting Manly at the end of next year. "A year's a long time in football,'' he answered. "I'm very happy at the Manly football club. I've got a lot of great mates there. I'm very close with the coaching staff there and I'm happy to stay put. At this present day, I would say I don't want to be anywhere else.''

He said Hasler "has been a massive part of my development as a footballer and he's been a great mentor for me in the last few years and I've got great admiration for him as a coach. But at the end of the day we're a team and we're a close bunch of boys and we did everything we could do to win that premiership this year and ... we're there to play footy and to try to win it again.''

The Manly scandal has taken some of the focus off what is a must-win game for the Kiwis against England this weekend, with the winner qualifying to meet Australia in next weekend's Four Nations final.

The Kiwis were accused of socialising too much in the leadup to the corresponding fixture two years ago, when England surprisingly beat the World Cup winners to qualify for the final. Foran made his international debut in that match and accepted the criticisms had "hit the nail on the head''.

"We were probably caught a bit off-guard,'' he said. "We probably let the guard down, let it slip.

"You can't afford to do that in test football, can you? You let your guard down a little bit, stop preparing well and you get beat. That's what happens. I suppose it was a learning curve for me as well. Two years down the track, I would have done things differently.''

Kiwis' coach Stephen Kearney has delayed naming his side until the last minute. England are also still to name their side and are sweating on the fitness of skipper Jamie Peacock (knee).