RHYTHM AND STEALTH
Coach
- Messages
- 11,234
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/sport/3806204/Adams-appeal
EXCLUSIVE: KIWIS enforcer Adam Blair has revealed the Warriors are strongly pursuing him and that he has not ruled out joining them as early as next season.
The blockbusting Melbourne forward is under contract until 2011 but could be released as the Storm are forced to shed up to four top-class players after being caught hundreds of thousands of dollars over the salary cap.
Blair confirmed the Warriors were keen for him to join them at Mt Smart next season, although he scotched suggestions he could cross the Tasman before the June 30 deadline and play for the club this season. From the moment the Storm were busted for systematic rorting of the salary cap earlier this year, Blair, who hails from Whangarei, has been linked with the Warriors.
Club legends Ruben Wiki and Stacey Jones have called for the club to break the bank to lure one of the games most exciting big men.
But until now neither the Warriors nor Blair have commented on the likelihood of him cutting ties with Melbourne.
It [playing for the Warriors] has run through my head, but thats pretty much all that can happen at the moment, Blair revealed to Sunday News.
Its only talks at this stage. They cant put a deal on the table until everything is sorted with the Storm. Im still under contract so it would be wrong for me to go out there and [start] asking for offers at this point in time.
The 24-year-old could be released from his deal a year early as the disgraced club looks to offload players to fit under next years salary cap.
Ive still got another year to go on my contract with the Storm so I cant really do too much until everythings sorted down here, Blair said.
Blair scotched any talk of him switching clubs mid-season.
It would be too hard to walk away from my club halfway through the year, especially with all the stuff weve gone through.
Id feel pretty bad to just get up and walk out on the Storm while this is all going on.
Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro and recruitment chief Dean Bell initiated the contact with Blair, made more urgent when No 1 prop Sam Rapira dislocated his knee against the Rabbitohs in round 11.
Blair admitted it was flattering to be in the clubs sights.
Its definitely nice. Ive put in a lot of hard work over here in the six years Ive been away from New Zealand, he said.
Warriors boss Wayne Scurrah said props were a priority for next year.
Adam had been one of the names mentioned but no formal discussions have taken place, he said.
EXCLUSIVE: KIWIS enforcer Adam Blair has revealed the Warriors are strongly pursuing him and that he has not ruled out joining them as early as next season.
The blockbusting Melbourne forward is under contract until 2011 but could be released as the Storm are forced to shed up to four top-class players after being caught hundreds of thousands of dollars over the salary cap.
Blair confirmed the Warriors were keen for him to join them at Mt Smart next season, although he scotched suggestions he could cross the Tasman before the June 30 deadline and play for the club this season. From the moment the Storm were busted for systematic rorting of the salary cap earlier this year, Blair, who hails from Whangarei, has been linked with the Warriors.
Club legends Ruben Wiki and Stacey Jones have called for the club to break the bank to lure one of the games most exciting big men.
But until now neither the Warriors nor Blair have commented on the likelihood of him cutting ties with Melbourne.
It [playing for the Warriors] has run through my head, but thats pretty much all that can happen at the moment, Blair revealed to Sunday News.
Its only talks at this stage. They cant put a deal on the table until everything is sorted with the Storm. Im still under contract so it would be wrong for me to go out there and [start] asking for offers at this point in time.
The 24-year-old could be released from his deal a year early as the disgraced club looks to offload players to fit under next years salary cap.
Ive still got another year to go on my contract with the Storm so I cant really do too much until everythings sorted down here, Blair said.
Blair scotched any talk of him switching clubs mid-season.
It would be too hard to walk away from my club halfway through the year, especially with all the stuff weve gone through.
Id feel pretty bad to just get up and walk out on the Storm while this is all going on.
Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro and recruitment chief Dean Bell initiated the contact with Blair, made more urgent when No 1 prop Sam Rapira dislocated his knee against the Rabbitohs in round 11.
Blair admitted it was flattering to be in the clubs sights.
Its definitely nice. Ive put in a lot of hard work over here in the six years Ive been away from New Zealand, he said.
Warriors boss Wayne Scurrah said props were a priority for next year.
Adam had been one of the names mentioned but no formal discussions have taken place, he said.
