If houghton wants to go to play and live in Australia then I wouldn't stand in his way, I would release him from his contract but set a clause that we have the first option for him if he comes back.
I disagree with a few people on here and think houghton is a better player than they give him credit for, plays constantly each game great defender, good runs and his distribution has improved loads over the last couple of years, he has set up a few trys this year with his passing from acting half.
Apart from Roby and maybe Robinson I wouldn't swap him for another English hooker, he is allrounda better player than Higham and Mcloram.
He will improve massively in the NRl under better players and coaching and and think he will do well in the NRL, for a start he is better than 2 of the NZ Warriors hookers they have playing, one an ex player and one a new one.
Fitz and other very experienced people at the club rate him highly, but what do they know about RL, not as much as people on here.
Can't blame him for wanting this move.
Good luck to him if it comes off