ozbash
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Russell Packer will part ways with the Warriors and ink a four-year deal with the Newcastle Knights.
The prop, who came though the club's under-20 system, is believed to have been unhappy with his situation in Auckland and asked for a release from the final year of his contract.
Warriors management have agreed to this, allowing Packer to continue his career on the other side of the Tasman, and an announcement is expected this week.
Fairfax Media understands there are a number of Warriors players on contract who the club is keen to release as the coach, Matt Elliott, looks to stamp his mark on what the squad looks like and also make a change in the attitudes and structures inside the team.
Packer played just nine games for the Warriors this season as he battled through a number of injuries, but it became clear that Suaia Matagi was regarded as the club's future.
Ben Matulino, Sam Rapira and Jacob Lillyman are the other quality front rowers on the Warriors' books, while Charlie Gubb has looked to be an outstanding young talent when playing for the reserve grade Auckland Vulcans this year. Sione Lousi will also be back playing next season after having missed all of the 2013 campaign through injury.
The 23-year-old Packer became an infamous figure around the world this season for urinating on the field when the Warriors were playing the Broncos and it's unfortunate that this may be what he's remembered for as much as the 110 games he played for the club.
It is unlikely Packer will be the last big-name player to leave the Warriors before the first game of next season.
The arrival of Sam Tomkins on big money from Wigan has meant that a great deal of attention needed to be paid on keeping the club inside the NRL's salary cap.
There is also an emphasis from management to hit the ground running for next year.
The late arrival of Elliott and his coaching team to Auckland for the this year's season meant that they were behind the eight ball in preparation, upskilling and formulating an in-depth game plan for the season.
That won't be the case in 2014 and those players not involved in the World Cup will begin training again later this month.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/9231209/Prop-Russell-Packer-NZ-Warriors-to-part-ways
The prop, who came though the club's under-20 system, is believed to have been unhappy with his situation in Auckland and asked for a release from the final year of his contract.
Warriors management have agreed to this, allowing Packer to continue his career on the other side of the Tasman, and an announcement is expected this week.
Fairfax Media understands there are a number of Warriors players on contract who the club is keen to release as the coach, Matt Elliott, looks to stamp his mark on what the squad looks like and also make a change in the attitudes and structures inside the team.
Packer played just nine games for the Warriors this season as he battled through a number of injuries, but it became clear that Suaia Matagi was regarded as the club's future.
Ben Matulino, Sam Rapira and Jacob Lillyman are the other quality front rowers on the Warriors' books, while Charlie Gubb has looked to be an outstanding young talent when playing for the reserve grade Auckland Vulcans this year. Sione Lousi will also be back playing next season after having missed all of the 2013 campaign through injury.
The 23-year-old Packer became an infamous figure around the world this season for urinating on the field when the Warriors were playing the Broncos and it's unfortunate that this may be what he's remembered for as much as the 110 games he played for the club.
It is unlikely Packer will be the last big-name player to leave the Warriors before the first game of next season.
The arrival of Sam Tomkins on big money from Wigan has meant that a great deal of attention needed to be paid on keeping the club inside the NRL's salary cap.
There is also an emphasis from management to hit the ground running for next year.
The late arrival of Elliott and his coaching team to Auckland for the this year's season meant that they were behind the eight ball in preparation, upskilling and formulating an in-depth game plan for the season.
That won't be the case in 2014 and those players not involved in the World Cup will begin training again later this month.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/9231209/Prop-Russell-Packer-NZ-Warriors-to-part-ways
