By PAUL YANDALL
The New Zealand Rugby League is adamant it has bought the Warriors league club, even though Tainui is preparing a court appeal against its sale.
The Court of Appeal in Wellington yesterday received an appeal against a High Court ruling in Hamilton last Friday by Justice Grant Hammond that Tainui's executive, Tekaumarua, had financial control of the tribe.
An application to prevent Tekaumarua from taking control and to stop the sale of the Warriors while the appeal was being heard was also filed in the High Court.
Justice Hammond will hear the case in the High Court at Auckland today.
NZRL chairman Gerald Ryan said the league was now the new owner of the club. "As far as I'm concerned, we've bought the club. This is the best thing for it."
The deal to buy the Warriors for $400,000 plus debts had been signed yesterday with a business partner.
But Mr Ryan said he was wary of what might happen in court today.
He would not say who the NZRL's partner in the venture was.
"If we don't own it then it will go under. There's a half-a-million-dollar tax bill due by Friday. Who's going to pay that? Tainui?"
The Inland Revenue Department could act to liquidate the club if its tax bill of nearly $500,000 is not paid by the end of the week.
That could prompt the Australian National Rugby League to revoke the Warriors' licence to play in its competition.
Justice Hammond ruled last Friday that the sale of the troubled club by Tekaumarua could go ahead.
But Tainui's principal negotiator, Sir Robert Mahuta, has claimed that Justice Hammond had no right to interfere in the tribe's business.
Tainui's legal adviser, Shane Solomon, confirmed that one appeal had already been filed and an appeal against the club's sale was being prepared.
"We've still got some issues to look at. I'm not sure when it will happen."
League digs in over Warriors
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