Players may quit over sacking
INTERIM coach Todd Payten can’t rule out the prospect that some Warriors players will quit the NRL season in anger after the sacking of Stephen Kearney.
Payten compared the impact of Kearney’s shock dismissal as head coach to a death in the family and described the scenes as “eerie” at the club’s Terrigal accommodation.
Kearney’s sacking on Saturday, six games into a renewed three-year contract, has attracted heated criticism in New Zealand from many quarters because of its ruthless nature after the team’s sacrifice to quarantine in Australia away from loved ones.
Former forward Sione Faumuina slammed owner Mark Robinson in a long social media video post, for his move to axe a man admired inside team walls. “It’s selfish, it lacks empathy... the worst decisions I’ve ever seen made in the NRL,” Faumuina said.
“If I was playing and this happened, I’d want to come home now.”
Payten said emotions were high when the players and coaching staff were addressed on Saturday afternoon by an overwhelmed Kearney.
And Payton said he couldn’t rule out some players considering pulling out of the 2020 campaign, such was the depth of feeling.
“Some may,” he said. “Yesterday it was an emotionally charged day.
“Stephen’s very well respected and loved by the players. I don’t know how they feel from an anger situation.
“It hit them pretty hard in the face. I really feel for Steve.
“I know the playing group are rattled and are still processing at the moment.”
Payten insisted no one saw the announcement coming, including Kearney.