The Warriors hopes of having an all-Kiwi halves combination for the 2016 season look to be dashed with reports that Kieran Foran has signed a multi-year deal with the Parramatta Eels.
The 24-year-old is off contract with the Manly Sea Eagles at the end of the season and has been taking his time to consider several offers from the Sea Eagles and other rival clubs, including the Warriors, Roosters, Bulldogs and Eels.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the five-eighth will announce later this week a multimillion dollar four-year deal with the Eels.
Foran has close ties to Eels coach Brad Arthur and former Manly teammate Anthony Watmough.
The Eels have been keen to sign a big name after the departure of Dally M award winner Jarryd Hayne - who left the club at the end of last season to attempt to break into the NFL in the United States. That also opened up space in the salary cap to offer the likes of Foran a big money deal.
It's a blow for the Warriors though Foran hinted to the Herald before the NRL Nines that a move to New Zealand would be a 'big call'.
"To be honest, it is a bigger call to move home here," Foran said.
"I'm not ruling anything out but it would be a bigger call to come back here, seeing as we've just had a young baby last year and we're pretty set up in Sydney at the moment.
"It's our first child and we're really enjoying living on the northern beaches at the moment. It's going really good but every option is an option at this stage. I'm still undecided at this point. I'm just working through the process with my manager and trying to get down closer to a decision."
Warriors owner Eric Watson caused a stir when he took to Twitter last year mistakenly welcoming Foran to the club - he later apologised for getting fans excited.
Kieran Foran
Age: 24
NRL games: 128 for Manly Sea Eagles
NRL debut: v Raiders 21/06/2009 (Rd 15)
Kiwis tests: 19
Did you know? Foran played junior league for the Ellerslie Eagles until he moved to Australia as a 9-year-old.