Warriors won’t budge on teenager
DAVID LONG
Warriors chief executive Cameron George says he hasn’t shifted his stance with New Zealand Rugby over Etene NanaiSeturo and doesn’t intend to.
The battle between the two codes has stretched into a second week, despite New Zealand Rugby saying early last week that they thought the issue would be resolved within a few days.
Although the 18-year-old Nanai-Seturo is contracted to the Warriors, he represented the New Zealand sevens team during the past two weeks and clearly wants to link up with the Chiefs.
George says the club are taking further legal advice, but is convinced the Warriors are in the right.
‘‘We’re still working through it and waiting to get some advice back,’’ George said yesterday.
‘‘Once I know that, we’ll understand what our next steps are.
‘‘But New Zealand Rugby Union know our position and that’s where we stand and I haven’t wavered from that and will not waver from that.
‘‘We are very confident that we’ve done everything appropriately and professionally.’’
Last year Nanai-Seturo attempted to resign from his Warriors contract, so he could switch to rugby.
If that was something that could legally happen, it could have major implications in New Zealand sport and be the most significant event since rugby went professional in 1995.
If a player could resign from a contract in one sport and start playing another, there would be nothing stopping Roger TuivasaSheck walking out of the Warriors to join the Blues this week, or for Sonny Bill Williams to immediately make a move in the opposite direction.
‘‘We’ve got to protect our organisation, our investment and commitment to our players,’’ George said.
‘‘We provide benefits in contracts and we take it seriously and ensure we do everything we’re committed to do legally.
‘‘We expect the same in return.’’