By PETER JESSUP
The Warriors have accused another National Rugby League club of making approaches to two of their up-and-coming players in defiance of anti-tampering laws, and have asked the NRL to investigate.
And skipper John Simon may be on the way from Auckland to London, with the John Monie-coached Broncos interested in the off-contract five-eighth.
The Warriors' management reported concerns over poaching to NRL headquarters yesterday after the team landed in Sydney for today's game against the Roosters, and the league has promised an inquiry.
But it was all quiet beyond that, with the club refusing to release details and the NRL confirming only that it would inquire into the complaint.
Poaching players carries a maximum penalty of $A500,000.
Clubs are allowed to do no more than file an expression of interest in players off-contract until after June 30, when they can approach those players.
The Herald understands the two Warriors concerned are second-rower Wairangi Koopu and centre Clinton Toopi. The club is believed to be Canberra.
The pair have played for feeder club Newtown Jets for the past three weeks.
Both are Junior Kiwis and both are off contract at the end of the season. Koopu has an an option for another year.
An approach to junior development players carries extra concern for the Warriors as they try to develop a programme that will bring the young talent they identify up to NRL standard.
The lack of a reserve-grade side is hurting more and more as the top side struggles with injuries, lack of depth and lack of a staggered step back up to premiership level for players returning from injury. Meanwhile, the club will meet Simon's agent next week to discuss an extension of his 18-month contract in the belief they have a handshake deal that he will stay on if wanted.
That comes against a background that includes the 29-year-old having been told to lose weight, and recent friction with other players, most notably his countrymen, so a big offer from England may see him take his prodigious kicking game away from Auckland.
The Warriors have given wing Odell Manuel permission to negotiate elsewhere.
He is considering options, including a shift to rugby.
Centre Nigel Vagana's leeway to look elsewhere ended last night and his agent is to meet the club this week to show offers from England, Canterbury and the Northern Eagles, and hear the Warriors' last approach.
The likelihood is that Auckland will not be in the running money-wise.
Roosters coach Graham Murray has made no bones about the attacking approach his side will take at the Sydney Football Stadium today - kicking to fullback David Mulhall, in only his second game, and wing Henry Fa'afili, in his fourth, with Lee Oudenryn a lesser target.
"I've been very impressed with our kicking game, whether it's the short kicks or the bombs," Murray said.
"Oudenryn is very good in the air, so we'll leave him alone, but the other two might drop some."
The Roosters are well-placed for the run home, needing three wins from six to cement a top-four playoff position. All hands bar Kiwis Richie Barnett and Quentin Pongia are on deck.
fusixpointAuckland Warriors: David Mulhall, Henry Fa'afili, David Myles, Nigel Vagana, Lee Oudenryn, Jason Bell, Stacey Jones, Joe Vagana, Robert Mears, Terry Hermansson, Logan Swann (c), Matt Spence, Scott Coxon; interchange Cliff Beverley, Henry Perenara, Jonathon Smith, Monty Betham.
Roosters: Luke Phillips, Matt Sing, Ryan Cross, Shannon Hegarty, Anthony Minichiello, Brad Fittler (c), Adrian Lam, Ian Rubin, Simon Bonetti, Dallas Hood, Bryan Fletcher, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson; interchange David Solomona, Darren Burns, Craig Wing, Julian Bailey.
Rugby League: Warriors complain players poached
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