Sale talk hampers Warriors NRL recruitment
Aug 30, 2017 - 3:51 AM As if the Warriors don't have enough problems, coach Stephen Kearney says talk of the NRL club's possible sale has stymied their recruitment drive for next season.Hoping to break an eight-game losing streak in their last game of the season against the Wests Tigers, the Warriors are also planning for 2018 and how they can best capitalise on some room under the salary cap.
However, uncertainty surrounding the future management of the club created a recruitment void for much of August.
Owner Eric Watson said he would entertain offers after news emerged that Auckland businessman Paul Davys had tabled an offer.
That deal fell over, clearing the way for the Warriors to continue negotiating with targets to replace departing veterans Ben Matulino, Ryan Hoffman and Kieran Foran. Forwards Jacob Lillyman, Bodene Thompson and Charlie Gubb are also uncontracted for next year.
New Zealand captain and Brisbane front-rower Adam Blair has reportedly been involved in talks to cross the Tasman.
"We should be getting some (recruitment) news over the next week or so," Kearney said.
"So it took a bit of pause of a couple weeks, when someone was potentially looking to buy the club. We've managed to get that sorted out and, hopefully, we should have a couple of announcements."
Halfback Shaun Johnson is in doubt for Sunday's clash between two struggling clubs in Sydney after picking up some "heavy knocks" during the golden-point 22-21 loss to Manly in Auckland.
Playing his first game after returning from six weeks out with a knee problem, Johnson took some blows to the same area. He will be under a cloud all week.
"We're giving him as long as possible to get himself right," Kearney said.
"If he doesn't feel right, we certainly won't risk it."
Source: AAP
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