Mystery surrounds Orford's Bradford departure

AFTER finally releasing the player's registration, Bradford Bulls chairman Peter Hood last night added intrigue to Matt Orford's departure by revealing they were in the dark about "strictly confidential reasons" why the star Australian could not return to Super League to fulfil his three-year contract.

The scrum-half, who was Bradford's marquee capture ahead of last season, will today officially become a Canberra Raiders player after four months of protracted discussions.

Orford, 32, suffered a campaign-ending shoulder injury in May and asked to return home for the required surgery agreeing to return for pre-season training in November.

However, there was strong rumours he was homesick and would not return, augmented when many Bradford players privately admitted the club captain had not even said any farewells to the squad before flying back to Sydney.

In October, the unsettled player – who managed just 14 games for the West Yorkshire club – did finally ask to be released from the remaining two years of his deal and was granted dispensation to stay in Sydney while terms were agreed.

But it has taken weeks of bitter wrangling between his representatives and Bradford to reach that point and he has only now officially been able to join Canberra Raiders.

Hood revealed further details on the matter last night explaining: "There are valid but strictly confidential reasons why Matt Orford is unable to return to the UK which were unknown to the club last summer when we agreed to his going home for surgery to his damaged shoulder, rather than have the operation here which would have been more usual.

"With the player's permission these reasons have been shared in confidence with the RFL.

"The issues that previously existed are now 'water under the bridge' – both the club and the player can get on with the rest of their lives. The club is free to register a replacement player and Matt, who I understand has made a complete recovery from his shoulder operation, can resume his career in Australia."

Huddersfield gained an 18-10 victory over Hull KR in the Eorl Crabtree testimonial match at the Galpharm Stadium.

New Zealand international Greg Eastwood will be forced to delay his return to Australia's National Rugby League due to a wrist injury sustained playing for Leeds.

He misses the first six rounds of the new season.