YORK Wasps star Jamie Benn has refuted claims that he has signed for Northern Ford Premiership rivals Batley Bulldogs - and says he is eyeing a much bigger move.

It was reported on a Bulldogs website that the highly-regarded full-back had been signed by coach Paul Storey, joining former Wasps prop Steve Hill in the Batley ranks.

But Benn today told the Evening Press that, contrary to reports, he has not signed for anyone and was likely to stay put for the time being.

However, it is not yet known whether the goalkicking ace will remain with the out-of-action York club, as he is lining up a move to Australia to play in the Metropolitan Cup, the Aussie equivalent of the NFP.

"I've spoken to Batley, and I know Hunslet are interested, but I haven't signed anything at all. I'm waiting to see what's going to happen in general," he said.

"I'm interested in going to Australia and playing in the Metro Cup but whether it comes off or not I don't know."

The 24-year-old has spoken to departing Wasps coach Leo Epifania about playing Down Under, and has asked the Aussie, who was to fly home today, to put out some feelers on his return to Sydney.

"Hopefully he might be able to sort a club out for me somewhere in Sydney," said Benn. "He said he would get back to me and I'll see where to go from there.

"It's always something I've wanted to do, to play and live in Australia, but I've never had the chance.

"I said to Leo weeks ago, before we had any idea that the Wasps would fold, that I was interested in playing in Australia. I said then that, if he ever went back, I'd ask him to sort out a club for me."

Benn said his family were also keen to go to Australia and added: "It just depends on whether we can get anything sorted out."

In the meantime, the Castleford-based number one has not ruled out staying with Wasps. "I would consider it but it depends on how it's going to be run," he said.

"If I can't get anything sorted out for Australia, I will have to stay in England and either go back to York or sign for somebody else.

"I'm going to think about what I'm going to do and not jump into anything."

Meanwhile, Benn reckons there is enough money in York to get a resurrected rugby league club off the ground but agrees that any new set-up - following the resignation of the old board and closure of the club - would have to rebuild confidence in the town.

Fans are trying to set up a supporters' trust to take over the Wasps and want the club to be readmitted to the NFP once that campaign restarts in June after the completion of the mid-season National League Cup. If that is not possible, they would want the club to be allowed back into the NFP next season, but either way are in need of new sponsorship.

Benn said: "There's a lot of big business in York and it's surprising that they haven't come forward to help the club out.

"But I suppose with the club's past record, who's going to want to help? The club as it was run lost people's trust a long time ago."

Updated: 11:34 Thursday, April 04, 2002