By KEVIN TAYLOR
Former Kiwi rugby league captain Matthew Ridge could make a comeback at the troubled Warriors club - but around the boardroom table.
Ridge is a friend of Auckland businessman Eric Watson, one of three potential investors in the club in partnership with New Zealand Rugby League.
"I'm not sure mate, I guess you'd have to ask Eric Watson," Ridge said when asked yesterday if he was set to become a director.
Watson was unavailable for comment.
Ridge said speculation that he might head the club as chief executive was not correct.
The Warriors struck more problems this week when players were not paid while confusion over who owns the club is sorted out.
In addition, the deadline to pay a $500,000 tax bill from Inland Revenue passed yesterday and it is unclear what action the IRD will take.
The NZRL last week signed a $400,000 deal to buy the Warriors' assets from Tainui.
However, the sale was held up by the NRL delaying transfer of the club's licence from Tainui to the new ownership.
NZRL chairman Gerald Ryan flew to Australia this week and met NRL officials to sort the transfer out.
He said yesterday that the transfer would now go ahead, subject to the NZRL board agreeing to a goodwill payment equal to the amount by which the Warriors had exceeded its salary cap.
Ryan said the Warriors had told him the amount was $9000.
The board would meet today or tomorrow to consider the payment, and its new corporate partner in the Warriors.
As well as Watson's Blue Star Group, the other known potential investor is Yes Group Ltd.
Ryan confirmed Watson's involvement, but would not name the third potential investor.
Asked about Ridge's involvement in the Warriors, Ryan said if the financial partner wanted him on the board, that would be up to them.
"He's a personal friend of Watson's. If Watson wants to bring him on board, that's up to them."
Warriors coach Mark Graham welcomed news that Ridge might become a director.
Graham's contract finishes at the end of the month and he has reapplied for the coaching role.
He denied he and Ridge did not get along.
"I'm sure he would be a bloody good thing to get on the board. It's important there's experience on the board. I would be quite comfortable with him as a director," he said.
Most of the Warriors players are on leave and found their bank accounts short on Monday when their monthly pay did not go in.
Simon Burgess, agent for 14 of the players, confirmed they were not paid and said he was considering serving a notice of breach of contract with the Warriors and NRL.
He understood the pay did not go through because of uncertainty over who owns the club.
Rugby League: Boardroom role tipped for Ridge at Warriors
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