It will put his battling NRL team under more pressure but interim Warriors coach Todd Payten knows he cannot prevent a quartet of players from heading home to New Zealand.
Wingers David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo as well as forwards Agnatius Paasi and King Vuniyayawa are all set to leave the Warriors’ Australian camp following next weekend’s match against Cronulla in Gosford.
The four will return home after the NRL was unsuccessful at arranging travel exemptions for their families to join them in Australia.
Having relocated from New Zealand in May, Payten said there was no way he could stop the players from returning to their families.
“I’ve given them my word if we don’t have a clear outcome from the government or the NRL then they can go home,” Payten said following Friday’s 16-12 loss to Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium.
“It’ll put pressure on us but at the end of the day, for the reasons they need to go back, they have to go back.
“I asked them to commit until after the Sharks game and they’ve given me that commitment.”
Payten praised his team’s response to their ongoing situation and said the deepening COVID-19 crisis in Victoria meant they had to accept the team will not be returning to New Zealand as a whole any time soon.
“With everything that’s happened in Victoria and more outbreaks, we’re not going home so I think we’ve got our heads around it,” he said.
“I can see us coming out the other side a better team for everything that’s happened in the last 12 weeks.”
Whether that other side will include Payten, who has stepped into the head coach’s position after Stephen Kearney’s sacking last month, remains uncertain.
“The club has been clear that they’re going to the open market,” he said.
“I have an ambition to be a head coach, that’s not going away.
“Whether it’s here or somewhere else, my time will come.”
Superspud
Roar Rookie
So do you think that there is a plan on the table for the very possible scenario of the Warriors pulling out altogether?
Randy
Roar Rookie
yeah look i know its hard being away from your family for a long time, especially if you got young ones but The Warriors to me just don't look like a serious outfit and haven't for most of their existence. They do seem soft and like they are just content to be in the NRL and that's it. I wonder if a 2nd NZ team would push them harder?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Why would they care about people leaving? That was never the issue was it?
KFar
Guest
They are leaving Aust and going to NZ. Since when will the Australian boarder control care that players are leaving the country? It won't be their problem once the plane takes off.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Why would you believe the NRL could tell the Australian Government what to do?! :shocked:
Verfel
Roar Rookie
I never said that! It should have been sorted before the Warriors left NZ! The NRL said that the families would be over in three weeks of the players arrival and out of self isolating!
Micko
Roar Rookie
If the NZ Warriors thought the NRL had jurisdiction over Australia's borders then they're pretty naïve!
KFar
Guest
The players are going home because the NRL couldn't fulfill what they promised when they. It's not the player's fault.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Pretty silly of the NRL to make that promise that's not theirs to make anyway.
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
well they should be supporting the players and their families as they said they would and shouldn't make commitments if they cant stick to them
Micko
Roar Rookie
You're naïve if you believe any "commitment" the NRL makes can overrule the Australian Government!
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
live up to their commitments and help get their families over to the players
Micko
Roar Rookie
What can the NRL do, bribe the Australian Government?
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
they should be allowed to haven't players left teams before and where is the leagues commitment to supporting them and their families. the referees and the officials standard of running the game needs to be looked at after last night
Micko
Roar Rookie
You serious? Letting foreigners in is up to the NRL you think?! :stoked:
KFar
Guest
How is it the Australian Govt's decision?
Kramer
Guest
After being royally shafted last night I’m not surprised.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Pretty naïve to believe any promise...and naïve of the NRL to dish out said promise!
Micko
Roar Rookie
It's up to the Australian government to decide these issues, NOT the NRL/Warriors. Pretty naïve to agree to anything which is in neither party's ability to control!
KFar
Guest
If the NRL/Warriors agreed to those terms and the terms have not been met, then what is the problem? Good on them for going home.