Kearney axing to cost Warriors cool $2m
THE New Zealand Warriors are facing a $2 million payout after sacking coach Stephen Kearney yesterday, with more than two years remaining on his contract.
And in a show of support from the team, the players did a haka as Kearney broke the news to them in a meeting room at the Star of the Sea resort in Terrigal yesterday afternoon.
An emotional Kearney fought back tears as he addressed the players.
Chief executive Cameron George had broken the news to Kearney via a phone call yesterday morning from his Auckland home.
“He was pretty shattered,” George said. “It was a very difficult decision because he is so respected.
“He’s only human. It was more difficult because I couldn’t do it face to face.”
Kearney’s job had been under pressure for several weeks.
“This didn’t pop up overnight,” George said. “As a club, we constantly do reviews to understand where we’re going.
“We’ve had a challenging year on and off the field and it was challenging last year, too.
“We needed to make a decision in the best interests of the club moving forward, and they’re never easy to make.”
The playing group had nothing to do with the decision, George said.
“Stephen had a great relationship with the players,” George said. “I’ve never had a player come to me about a breakdown in relationships. The players really liked him.”
Assistant coach Todd Payten has beaten club legend Stacey Jones for the job as caretaker coach. The Warriors management made the decision yesterday morning after Friday night’s heavy 40-12 loss to the Rabbitohs.