NZ Warriors frustrated in hunt for loan players from NRL clubs

New Zealand Warriors recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan is becoming increasingly frustrated in his search for loan players.

New Zealand Warriors veteran Adam Blair during a training session at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

New Zealand Warriors recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan is becoming increasingly frustrated in his search for loan players across the NRL.

He has seen and heard rival clubs talk about helping out the Warriors. Some of their actions, he says, suggest otherwise.

With the clock ticking, O’Sullivan’s exasperation is growing. The Warriors are desperately short of middle forwards and their cries for help have been largely met with derisive offers from their rivals.

“Don’t worry about the Warriors, other clubs can help themselves because there is no second-tier system,” O’Sullivan said.

“If I had a number five or six prop that I am not going to use in the short period of time, they would be on the first plane, train or bus to the Central Coast I could get them on. As if you wouldn’t give your number five or six prop 40 or 50 minutes with the safety net that you can pull them back at any time.”

The Warriors have been stripped of Leeson Ah Mau (pectoral), Jazz Tevaga, Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei (all knees) through injury. They have landed Canberra forward Jack Murchie and they still hope to bring Ben Murdoch-Masila back from England, but they still need some experience to help the young forwards that have been charged with carrying their hopes.

There has been talk of Wests Tigers prop Russell Packer joining the cause, although the veteran New Zealander has played little football over the past year due to injury. He would likely need some time to find his feet and the Warriors need help now.

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“If they get an injury they can pull them straight back within that month,” O’Sullivan said. “It is a no-brainer for them. Some clubs have been good offering some players.

“Obviously no one has played for five weeks but we need someone who can hit the ground running next week and play, whether it be a little bit underdone. One coach says we’re great for the game and he said no before he even picked the phone up. He has players that would benefit from it. They are not seeing it from their own perspective. In two weeks’ time they are going to be saying, ‘geez I wish I had done that’.

“In two weeks’ time it will be too late.”