How Auckland Rugby League are trying to buy the Warriors

Shaun Johnson kicks the winning field goal. Canberra Raiders v Vodafone Warriors, NRL Rugby League. GIO Stadium, Canberra, Australia. 24th March 2018. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

Former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe and former Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah are assisting the Auckland Rugby League in their bid to buy the Warriors.

ARL chairman Cameron McGregor confirmed the pair were involved in their planned purchase of the NRL club and would likely contribute to a wide-ranging review of the organisation if their bid is successful, but denied they were being lined up to fill administrative or football department roles.

"They've certainly been helping us, that's for sure," McGregor said.

"We would like to use their expertise if we could, but nothing has been discussed around those things yet to anyone's satisfaction and who knows what their roles might be."

The ARL last week submitted their proposal to current Warriors owner Eric Watson's representatives and are understood to have made a cash offer for $20 million, but are still working through details around their sale and purchase agreement.

The rival Tongan-US consortium headed by CEO and Hawaiian politician Richard Fale are yet to finalise a deal and meet Watson's reported asking price of $24 million despite weeks of negotiations.

With either prospective party there is a risk they could disrupt the new-found stability and winning formula that the club is enjoying through their unbeaten start to the season and bring undone the good work that has been achieved in recent times.

Warriors fans hope any new buyer would bring a 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' attitude and judging by the club's recent progress it is difficult to pinpoint any obvious areas where changes are urgently needed in either the management or football departments.

Fale has said he would like to minimise disruption and would allow coach Stephen Kearney and CEO Cameron George at least three years to prove their worth, while the retention of chairman and former managing director Jim Doyle in an advisory role for at least 18 months is also a condition of their purchase plan.

McGregor also insists that Kearney and George will remain safe under the ARL's ownership – at least in the short-term – while Doyle has informed the ARL that he will stand down from his post if they gain control.

"Anyone would be a fool to come in and make too many changes to a winning team at the moment," McGregor said.

"We've got full confidence in Cameron George and Stephen at the moment.

"None of that has been discussed and you wouldn't want to upset the apple cart by making changes to something that seems to be working right at the moment."

However, McGregor admits Scurrah could head a review of the club's structure while the Herald understands Lowe could fill a role similar to general manager of football Brian Smith's current position.

Scurrah served as CEO of the club for nine years (2005-2014), and Lowe was a part-owner during the ill-fated Tainui era (1999-2000).

"That's the sort of area we could bring in Wayne and get him to help with a plan going forward, but that's only something any good business owner would do in taking over a business.

"[Lowe] has got a tremendous amount of experience particularly around the football side, so again it would be a matter of having a good look at it all and coming up with a plan moving forward.

"But certainly there's some resource there and we're not so naïve as to believe that we have all of the knowledge, skills and experience to make these decisions without seeking wide views from people."