Sad rumour

[Iron Lion]

Guys, I said I wouldnt post here again this year after learning that the Warriors let Tof Sipley go to Manly but I got told some sad info today from a very close source within the warriors camp that I thought I should share with you in regards to the state of the Warriors.

Manu Vatuvei was forced out of the Warriors.

He was absolutely adamant on being a one club player. He approached SK about being given a shot in a new position. Which was as an impact bench prop and SK shot it down. He asked for a chance to prove himself, reduced salary, reduced mins, whatever was required to be a one club man - this is what Manu wanted more than anything for his legacy, to be a one club man. He believes in his heart he could of had another 3 seasons at this club as an impact forward and his body is not nearly as beat up as people think. SK was not willing to even accommodate a club legend being given a chance to prove himself, he told Manu the club already had people to come off the bench and do that job.

Vatuvei was offered a contract for one year at the Titans but the warriors refused to release him. The Titans were willing to pay the same coin that he is on now and then take it from there afterwards if he worked out. Vatuvei did not want to go to the UK, the only reason he left is that the Warriors refused to allow him to play NRL and they told him he would not see playing time at the Warriors again. So if he wanted to play football again he had to accept the contract offer at Salford. Manus hands were completely tied. He was willing to retire but it was his wife who talked him out of retiring to continue playing the game he loved. My understand that the warriors have a stipulation in his current contract to go to Salford that he will be blocked form playing NRL for any other club again.

Sam Tomkins and Sam Rapira have helped him out in getting settled in the UK and Sam Tomkins has set him up with an apartment there.

Also most of the players and people at the Warriors do not like SK. He already has a lot of people offside with him as his communication skills leave a lot to be desired and he lacks complete charisma. Take it for what you will but it is highly unlikely SK is the man to turn the warriors around as it seems he has lost a lot of the club backing already.

Lastly as it has been said in the media, Falou is the Warriors major target. But he is asking a ridiculous amount of money from them.If the warriors land him it will break the bank. Blues also keen on Falou but the money he is asking is HUGE.

Also lastly, from all I have discussed with they seem to believe Watson is a cancer inside the warriors. He has taken the family vibe out of the club and surrounded himself with yes people. If the warriors are ever to be turned around Watson will need to be replaced as the club owner.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

sad guy, sad bs

 

[ozbash]

Why is this bs, cloudtroll?

Tell us instead of just hanging around to put the shit in.

 

[legs 11]

this sad rumour is to me very believable.....i too would be pretty much sure that Manu was pushed.....the obvious move was as an interchange forward running one off the ruck...second rower..... to be denied that opportunity is not right....especially with the club constantly losing....im sure the powers that be wont sack sk though.....more of the same 2018......also what a waste Folau would be.....he is Kevin Iro clone...there will,be an 18 year old kevin iro clone playing somewhere...and he will cost nothing.

 

[Warriorsoul]

Ali Lautiti'iti all over again? Vinnie Anderson as well IIRC
As for Folau, so we're about as desperate as we've ever been for at least two props and a 5/8, and we're hoping to drop big coin on a fullback/centre. Seems legit. :/

 

[BLN2]

Vicious rumour, Iron Lion etc makes this a stretch to believe, but from the outside looking in, wouldn't be surprised this was off the mark.

Kearney seems so un-inspiring it's not funny, I was thinking to myself the other day how he talks to his players, "Um yeah, um, you know, um" etc. Does he turn into a completely different speaker in house?

SJ barely re signed, if he was fully behind SK I think he would have signed far smoother.

Re Manu - Again wouldn't be surprised, in terms of a business decision it makes sense (refer Watson input). If true reminds me of Packers ugly exit from the club.

 

[Blair]

For a big man on campus he had a shabby, horrible little exit last weekend.

He'd have just touched down at Manchester Airport now and I hope he doesn't forget how the club treated him, which was poorly by many accounts, especially if they expect to roll out his 'legend status' for its own gain.

 

[JJ]

hmm, well, given the OP not sure what to think.

At the end of the day, Kearney is the boss - but part of that is getting buy in. Many of us have asked for a culture change, change is hard...

Of course I have no faith in Kearney, but happy to be proven wrong

 

[Cold Roses]

At the end of the day, Kearney is the boss - but part of that is getting buy in. Many of us have asked for a culture change, change is hard...

Of course I have no faith in Kearney, but happy to be proven wrong

Taking Kearney out of the equation, some of what has been said in the OP could just as easily be taken as sour grapes by players and staff who are having the 'gravy train' ripped out from underneath them.

They may not like it, and subsequently the person instigating it, but as JJ says, change is hard,

And if it's necessary ... as a lot of us believe it is, then so be it.

 

[Rich102]

FO Watson?

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Folau wants huge money....

Let me guess - 2 million.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Ffs people have been calling time on Manu for the past two seasons, now he's gone and everyone is putting the boot in? Can't have it both ways.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Sorry mate, you can't be so far off the mark with your previous 'mail' in regards to Watmough, Matai etc, not provide any insight to actual signings that happened, then expect us to believe this.

 

[Iron Lion]

well dont believe it is up to you, but for those who want to know how close to the money I am on this one, Konrad Hurrell flew over for a 4hr visit on the weekend to wish Manu goodbye which was a big surprise for Manu. Also it was Mad butcher who organised most of Manus goodbye, the club planned very little in regard to sending him off. The whole manu vatuvei stadium thing was just to hustle more ticket sales for an slumping season for passionate fans.

The send off Manu got from inside the club was a few snacks on the table. This is Ali Lauititi all over again. Watson is ruthless. There is no family or morals left in this club.

 

[Iron Lion]

Sorry mate, you can't be so far off the mark with your previous 'mail' in regards to Watmough, Matai etc, not provide any insight to actual signings that happened, then expect us to believe this.

Also I wasnt off the money, the warriors had letters of intent signed. You would be surprised previously how many LOIs had been signed with the warriors. I was just stupid enough to call it early. Foran had signed an LOI prior to signing on this season.

 

[WellsNZ]

I don't really consider much of this all that sad.

If the stuff about giving him a shit send off is true then that is sad, but pushing him out the door no not really. Guy is undoubtedly a club legend, but if you think he is done you have to make the tough decision for what is best going forward. It's all well and good to be saying you'd take less money etc but that's money and a position that a young guy who could serve the club long term could have.

He's still going to be a one club man in most eyes, who cares who you went and played for getting your retirement contract in the UK. If you spent your whole NRL career with one team you're a one club man imo.

In everyone's eyes Manu will always be a Warrior.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

For a big man on campus he had a shabby, horrible little exit last weekend.

He'd have just touched down at Manchester Airport now and I hope he doesn't forget how the club treated him, which was poorly by many accounts, especially if they expect to roll out his 'legend status' for its own gain.

You truly think that? Granted I wasn't at the game but gee he seemed to get a really big sendoff on the day, in social media, on TV, in the papers etc. It was everywhere. They renamed the damn stadium.

Thing is, he wasn't our first choice wing on either side any more. This is a business (unfortunately our club muddied the waters by being a rehab centre for Foran). Salford wanted him, we wanted pressure released from our salary cap. That's business. If he wanted to stay as a prop (and I don't believe IL) it wouldn't work. You can't rework a contract to be paid less and play a new position. He signed on reasonably big money and that's where he would've remained, interchange prop in ressies or wherever.

I'm all for fairytales and treating legends right, and giving them the right to go out on their terms when applicable. But unfortunately for the legend that is Manu, it didn't happen this time. That's sport. His body failed him. We need to move forward as a club and dig ourselves out of the hole we're in, and easing our salary cap pressure for guys not playing FG is a way of doing that. But hell, I almost cried when he ran out with tears in his eyes with his family, I think we did OK by him.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

LOL.

I'd caution people to think about the length of his contract left to run and the ability of the club to 'reduce his salary' in 2018 & get that signed off by the NRL.

You don't pay an 'impact prop' $700k.

 

[JJ]

Also I wasnt off the money, .

LOL, no, of course you weren't

And you've been banging on about Manu being a prop for a while, not off the mark on that one either.

Wells in 100% right, Manu's legacy as a player is there, rightly or wrongly Kearney and Doyle have made a call on what they think is best - I have no faith in them, but that's the job they're there to do, so be it - he's not the first high profile player to be pushed out the door - remember Bennett and the King?

 

[ozbash]

I don't know if the Lion is on the money or not... can't see a reason to bullshit about something like this.

I do wonder why the club would have resigned Manu until 2020 (iirc) and then show him the door.