Immediate release for Green

RUGBY LEAGUE

WELLINGTON: Halfback Blake Green has been released by the Warriors with immediate affect.

The Australian approached the NRL club through manager Isaac Moses seeking a release from the last three months of his contract to enable him to join another NRL club.

He will now head to the Newcastle Knights.

The move is a big boost to the injuryhit Knights in their hopes to make the finals, while the Warriors lose one of their most consistent performers this season.

Green (33), who is off contract with the Warriors at the end of the season, was surprisingly publicly dumped by team owner Mark Robinson recently and told he was surplus to requirements at the club.

‘‘We were committed to Blake staying with us for the rest of the season but he and his manage

ment have indicated they want an immediate release,’’ Warriors chief executiver Cameron George said.

‘‘Given the circumstances we have granted his request.’’

The Warriors became Green’s sixth NRL club when he was signed after spending the 2017 season with Manly. His 55th and final appearance for the club was last Friday night’s 2620 win over Wests Tigers.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are adamant they will not be rushed into hiring a new head coach.

Another potential candidate is no longer in the mix for the job, interim coach Todd Payten turning down an offer from the club to take the role on a permanent basis.

The embattled club has been searching for a fulltime replacement since it sacked Stephen Kearney six weeks ago.

But George said the club was committed to taking its time to find the right person.

‘‘If it’s two weeks, three weeks, four weeks . . . it could be three months, it doesn’t worry us,’’ George said.

‘‘We’ve got some great skilled coaches internally that we can continue to utilise.

‘‘We’ve got to weigh up and get clarity on a number of issues and we’re happy to take our time to get that clarity before we make an appointment.’’ — RNZ