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http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/5037401/Contract-talks-distracting-for-NZ-Warriors
Contract talks distracting for NZ Warriors
STEVE KILGALLON
Last updated 05:00 22/05/2011
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Kevin Locke
SHANE WENZLICK/Auckland Suburbans
ON CONTRACT: Issues surrounding contracts for next season threaten to distract the Warriors. Fullback Kevin Locke is expected to stay with the club having an option for another year.
League
Wests Tigers get out of jail against Penrith Lightweight South Sydney ready for Warriors Billy Slater tipping Josh Dugan to roll the dice Campese fancies Canberra's top-eight chances NSW coach Ricky Stuart not asking to be loved Warrior Jeremy Latimore knows pressure is on Canberra Raiders too strong for Bulldogs Belated debut worth the wait for Filipo Andrew Johns opens laptop on Maroons' secrets Warriors looking to enter bye on a high
Some are playing for their jobs, some are deep into negotiations to stay, some know they won't be in Auckland this time next year. The Warriors are in top form, but they're also deep into contract season, with the futures of 15 of their senior squad being discussed.
Is it a distraction? "It can be, without a doubt, and it's not easy to answer," admits coach Ivan Cleary frankly. "My role as coach is always to be as honest with them as possible it's one of the challenges of the NRL these days and I think the players understand that. The best way to handle it is to concentrate on what they are doing: there's always distractions in footy family, finances, and this is just another one. We've already got a couple of guys who know they are not going to be here. But regardless of what you're doing in the future, it's about what you're doing now."
And so why Cleary says he "can't completely rule out" tinkering with his team to give chances to those who will be at Mt Smart next year over those who won't, his priority remains a winning team.
That means players such as halfback Brett Seymour, whose future is most under question, continuing at halfback ahead of Shaun Johnson, who has a long-term deal.
And there are players who may not play top grade at all this year, but appear to have done enough to earn another deal: "project" players such as utility Pita Godinet, who the Sunday Star-Times understands will have his deal extended and prop James Gavet, who needs to add fitness and stronger defence to his devastating ball-running, but, says Cleary, "is not far away with a bit more consistency over the next few weeks, he's every chance [of debuting]."
Chief executive Wayne Scurrah won't go into detail about negotiations, explaining: "We're right in the middle of it now and Dean [Bell, recruitment manager] has been frantic. We're making progress and with the bye next week, the players have a few days off and before they come back for round 13, we want to have clarified some things so they can focus on football. But I'm not talking about individual players it's a sensitive issue and we've a big game on Sunday to focus on."
And the players reckon they're not distracted. "Heaps of people have been asking me [about his future]," says hooker Alehana Mara. "I would love to stay at the Warriors, love to be one of those guys who stays at one club all his career, but my manager [Sam Ayoub] will sort out what is best for me and the future of my family. I'm pretty keen to stay here. But I know I am the one making money for myself: if I am playing good, my contract will reflect that, and he will sort that out for me."
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And at the other end of the scale, veteran Shaun Berrigan says: "Not at all [distracted]. At my age, when I first came here, I knew I had to take it year by year. Whether the club wanted me to go ... it's whatever is best for the club. I've loved it here ... I couldn't have asked for more."
Berrigan has kept his place in the playing squad and will start on the bench for today's game against Souths but Mara along with Sione Lousi and Joel Moon has been cut from the extended interchange named by Cleary earlier in the week.
Berrigan has also apologised for his performance in last week's victory over Newcastle.
The former Queensland Origin star played with painkillers in his comeback from a broken hand, but said: "I didn't play too well: I felt disappointed with my game; I just hope I get another game this week. It was a poor performance and I am not blaming the hand, it was one of those days you have from time to time."
Meanwhile, Cleary will soon regain the services of rising star Glen Fisiiahi who made his return to footy for the Auckland Vulcans yesterday. The talented fullback had been sidelined since early April after ankle and knee damage.
WHERE THEY STAND
Lance Hohaia: signed for St Helens, gone.
Brett Seymour: off-contract, going.
James Maloney: club taken up one-year option, staying.
Kevin Locke: club taking up a one-year option, staying.
James Gavet: has a future, expected to stay.
Shaun Berrigan: undecided, likely to stay.
Alehana Mara: off-contract, undecided.
Joel Moon: out of favour, likely to go.
Pita Godinet: project player, likely to stay.
Aaron Heremaia: told to talk to other clubs, going.
Jacob Lillyman: in top form, likely to stay.
Isaac John: club has an option, likely to go.
Jeremy Latimore: off-contract, likely to go.
Matt Robinson: hasn't got close to top grade, likely to go.
Ivan Penehe: injury-blighted, could get another chance, likely to stay.
Already re-signed: Ukuma Ta'ai, Sione Lousi, Sam Rapira, Glen Fisiaahi.
- Sunday Star Times
Questions, so according to this has Seymour been told he is going and I was unaware that Ukuma Ta'ai had re-signed for next year, I can not find any reference to it. Moderators if this needs to be moved to the signings thread please do so, I just thought it needed its own thread.
Contract talks distracting for NZ Warriors
STEVE KILGALLON
Last updated 05:00 22/05/2011
Share
Text Size
Kevin Locke
SHANE WENZLICK/Auckland Suburbans
ON CONTRACT: Issues surrounding contracts for next season threaten to distract the Warriors. Fullback Kevin Locke is expected to stay with the club having an option for another year.
League
Wests Tigers get out of jail against Penrith Lightweight South Sydney ready for Warriors Billy Slater tipping Josh Dugan to roll the dice Campese fancies Canberra's top-eight chances NSW coach Ricky Stuart not asking to be loved Warrior Jeremy Latimore knows pressure is on Canberra Raiders too strong for Bulldogs Belated debut worth the wait for Filipo Andrew Johns opens laptop on Maroons' secrets Warriors looking to enter bye on a high
Some are playing for their jobs, some are deep into negotiations to stay, some know they won't be in Auckland this time next year. The Warriors are in top form, but they're also deep into contract season, with the futures of 15 of their senior squad being discussed.
Is it a distraction? "It can be, without a doubt, and it's not easy to answer," admits coach Ivan Cleary frankly. "My role as coach is always to be as honest with them as possible it's one of the challenges of the NRL these days and I think the players understand that. The best way to handle it is to concentrate on what they are doing: there's always distractions in footy family, finances, and this is just another one. We've already got a couple of guys who know they are not going to be here. But regardless of what you're doing in the future, it's about what you're doing now."
And so why Cleary says he "can't completely rule out" tinkering with his team to give chances to those who will be at Mt Smart next year over those who won't, his priority remains a winning team.
That means players such as halfback Brett Seymour, whose future is most under question, continuing at halfback ahead of Shaun Johnson, who has a long-term deal.
And there are players who may not play top grade at all this year, but appear to have done enough to earn another deal: "project" players such as utility Pita Godinet, who the Sunday Star-Times understands will have his deal extended and prop James Gavet, who needs to add fitness and stronger defence to his devastating ball-running, but, says Cleary, "is not far away with a bit more consistency over the next few weeks, he's every chance [of debuting]."
Chief executive Wayne Scurrah won't go into detail about negotiations, explaining: "We're right in the middle of it now and Dean [Bell, recruitment manager] has been frantic. We're making progress and with the bye next week, the players have a few days off and before they come back for round 13, we want to have clarified some things so they can focus on football. But I'm not talking about individual players it's a sensitive issue and we've a big game on Sunday to focus on."
And the players reckon they're not distracted. "Heaps of people have been asking me [about his future]," says hooker Alehana Mara. "I would love to stay at the Warriors, love to be one of those guys who stays at one club all his career, but my manager [Sam Ayoub] will sort out what is best for me and the future of my family. I'm pretty keen to stay here. But I know I am the one making money for myself: if I am playing good, my contract will reflect that, and he will sort that out for me."
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And at the other end of the scale, veteran Shaun Berrigan says: "Not at all [distracted]. At my age, when I first came here, I knew I had to take it year by year. Whether the club wanted me to go ... it's whatever is best for the club. I've loved it here ... I couldn't have asked for more."
Berrigan has kept his place in the playing squad and will start on the bench for today's game against Souths but Mara along with Sione Lousi and Joel Moon has been cut from the extended interchange named by Cleary earlier in the week.
Berrigan has also apologised for his performance in last week's victory over Newcastle.
The former Queensland Origin star played with painkillers in his comeback from a broken hand, but said: "I didn't play too well: I felt disappointed with my game; I just hope I get another game this week. It was a poor performance and I am not blaming the hand, it was one of those days you have from time to time."
Meanwhile, Cleary will soon regain the services of rising star Glen Fisiiahi who made his return to footy for the Auckland Vulcans yesterday. The talented fullback had been sidelined since early April after ankle and knee damage.
WHERE THEY STAND
Lance Hohaia: signed for St Helens, gone.
Brett Seymour: off-contract, going.
James Maloney: club taken up one-year option, staying.
Kevin Locke: club taking up a one-year option, staying.
James Gavet: has a future, expected to stay.
Shaun Berrigan: undecided, likely to stay.
Alehana Mara: off-contract, undecided.
Joel Moon: out of favour, likely to go.
Pita Godinet: project player, likely to stay.
Aaron Heremaia: told to talk to other clubs, going.
Jacob Lillyman: in top form, likely to stay.
Isaac John: club has an option, likely to go.
Jeremy Latimore: off-contract, likely to go.
Matt Robinson: hasn't got close to top grade, likely to go.
Ivan Penehe: injury-blighted, could get another chance, likely to stay.
Already re-signed: Ukuma Ta'ai, Sione Lousi, Sam Rapira, Glen Fisiaahi.
- Sunday Star Times
Questions, so according to this has Seymour been told he is going and I was unaware that Ukuma Ta'ai had re-signed for next year, I can not find any reference to it. Moderators if this needs to be moved to the signings thread please do so, I just thought it needed its own thread.
