RUGBY LEAGUE
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The NRL is set to investigate St George Illawarra's claims that a rival club approached Brett Morris despite the winger being contracted to the Dragons for 2015.
The Dragons released a statement this week accusing another club of enticing Morris to break his contract after Fairfax Media revealed the Test flyer had sought a release from the final year of his deal to join twin brother Josh at the Bulldogs in 2015.
Part of St George Illawarra's statement read that the Dragons "are aware that another club has offered Brett Morris more money than his contract sum at the Dragons for the 2015 season".
The Dragons also said there were "no rules that prevent player managers from talking to other clubs about contracted players".
While rival clubs are allowed to negotiate with Morris for the 2016 season, they are not able to entice him to break his contract a year early.
An NRL spokesman said they had "noted" the Dragons statement.
"We are making inquiries with the Dragons to determine whether the matter needs to be taken any further," he said.
Bulldogs officials would not comment about the Morris situation. It is understood the Bulldogs plan to reunite the brothers, offering about $150,000 more per season for Morris to play fullback at the club on a four-year deal.
Recently appointed full-time St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has inherited a squad with salary cap woes.
McGregor met his playing squad individually for end-of-season reviews last week.
McGregor handed Morris the captaincy for two games late in the season when regular skipper Ben Creagh was injured.
Already, representative forward Trent Merrin has spoken out at his frustration at not being able to secure a long-term deal at the club, as the cap bites hard.
Merrin, who is contracted until the end of next season, has had no joy in his bid to ink a long-term deal at the club where he debuted in 2009.
St George Illawarra forwards Jack Stockwell and Dan Hunt, and centre Dylan Farrell are believed to have been told to find new clubs.
Meanwhile, Cronulla have signed promising Dragons under-20s talent Jack Bird on a two-year deal.