NRL: Scurrah plays down talk of a return to former club

Former Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah has downplayed suggestions he will have a prominent role at the club.

Scurrah, who was head of the NRL franchise between 2006 and 2014, acted as an adviser to Cameron McGregor and Carlaw Heritage Trust throughout the sale process, which was formally concluded on Wednesday when CHT and Autex were confirmed as the club's new owners.

Scurrah has a strong relationship with McGregor, developed during his nine years at the helm of the Warriors, when McGregor was head of the Auckland Rugby League, but he was coy on a future job at the Mt Smart club.

"There is no commitment going forward, so I am back to my day job," Scurrah told the Weekend Herald.

"I've assisted the ARL over the last few months and they have eventually bought the club, which I am delighted about. I think they will be great owners, so that is about it for me."

When asked if he wanted to be involved in the new incarnation of the Warriors, Scurrah was uncertain.

"I'm not committed either way," said Scurrah. "It's really for the ARL - and the Warriors - to determine who and what shape they want people."

Since his departure from the Warriors in 2014, Scurrah has worked as chief operating officer for Cullen Investments, looking after Eric Watson's New Zealand portfolio of assets.

He was involved with the CHT bid on an ad hoc basis, after McGregor sought his advice and perspective on the Warriors.

"Cameron invited me to assist him, and Eric was fully supportive of that," said Scurrah. "I tried to give a pretty honest appraisal of my time at the club, what worked back then and what didn't.

"I answered questions and gave my views on a few things. But I didn't have a formal role and was never paid to do anything."

Scurrah is enthusiastic about the potential of the club under the new ownership model.

"I'm excited about what it can do for rugby league in New Zealand, not just Auckland," said Scurrah. "There are some great opportunities for the local game."