By PETER JESSUP
The Tainui two-thirds owners of the troubled Auckland Warriors did themselves no favours when they shunned a meeting with National Rugby League representatives in Auckland yesterday.
The NRL chief executive, David Moffett, and lawyer David Gallop flew in, seeking details to allay concerns that the Warriors were teetering on the brink of receivership, but flew out none the wiser.
They were left to discuss what might be with the New Zealand Rugby League, prospective buyers the Yes Group, and initial Warriors owners the Auckland Rugby League after Tainui representatives declined to front.
By the end of the day they had still failed to return phone calls.
The would-be rescuers were dismayed at that stalling approach.
The NZRL board convened informally to discuss a "Plan B" should the tribe default to the point where the club's existence was threatened but members would not discuss the outcome for fear of unsettling already shaky negotiations.
Receivership is a real threat, many of those involved believe, as the bank accounts remain empty while further staff and player payments arise, the next round due on August 20 and major player payments due September 1.
Moffett and Gallop were emphatic that the Warriors, irrespective of off-field rumblings, would remain in the competition for the good of the game.
The Tainui and the new buyers remain around $4 million apart on a complicated deal that includes purchase price, existing debt and already booked-in commitments.
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