Rugby League: Wiki move led Price to Warriors

1.00pm

Steve Price's agonising decision to exit the Bulldogs and end his National Rugby League (NRL) career at the New Zealand Warriors was partially influenced by another of the code's veterans.

Ruben Wiki's move last Friday to leave the Canberra Raiders for Ericsson Stadium in 2005 was a contributing factor when Price weighed up his similarly lengthy career at the Bulldogs.

Prop Price, the Bulldogs skipper and forward leader, confirmed a three-year deal with the Warriors yesterday, demoralising legions of Bulldogs' faithful.

The Queensland State of Origin front rower and incumbent Kangaroos representative admitted Wiki's decision to move out of his comfort zone in the Australian capital after 11 seasons gave him food for thought.

"I knew if we went there it was obviously going to make a massive difference to the club.

"I suppose by him going there he obviously feels the same way that I do -- that it's some place we could make a difference .... to get them to where we think they should be."

Wiki's mana amongst the Kiwis is well documented and the New Zealand test captain has also made an impression on the 30-year-old Queenslander over years of sparring.

"I know how much Ruben means to the Kiwi guys. Every time Canberra play the Warriors you can see how much they respect and look up to Ruben.

"He's someone that all those young guys really look up to. I fully respect him has a player, he's someone I've played against pretty much my whole career."

Price, a life member at the Bulldogs, joined the club as a 17-year-old and said he was torn about leaving an institution where he is considered part of the furniture.

Highly respected, he has been a rock for the Bulldogs in recent seasons, guiding the club through the salary cap crisis and the recent Coffs Harbour sex scandal.

Although he cited the need for a new challenge -- and helping rebuild the Warriors will be no mean feat -- Price acknowledged controversies that enveloped the Bulldogs also played a part in opting for hopefully a quieter time across the Tasman

"It was a factor to a degree, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't, and I think this year was the hardest out of the last three years -- but it certainly wasn't the whole reason," Price said.

The Warriors reportedly offered a package worth A$400,000 ($445,000) a season, believed to be $120,000 more a year than the Bulldogs could muster.

New Zealand's lower tax rates and the lure of a semi-rural lifestyle for his wife Jo and three children also made the Warriors' approach ultimately irresistible.

The Warriors went hard out to get their man.

Jo Price was flown over to Auckland for a guided tour and Price's manager, George Mimis, was also entertained at Ericsson Stadium by Warriors chief executive Mick Watson.

Price and Watson also discussed the Warriors for several hours, though an official leadership role was not among the topics.

"We never spoke about that," Price said.

"That's up to the coach (Tony Kemp) and administration at the Warriors.

"I'm just there to hopefully make a difference. They've been a little bit disappointing at how they've gone this year.

"I thought it was a massive challenge to go there and try and get them back to where they were last year."

Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad, who joined the club at the height of February's sex scandal, paid tribute to his captain after an emotional Price told teammates of his decision.

"There's no doubt Steve has made a tremendous contribution to the club over the 12 years he's been here...both on and off the field," Noad said.

Price said his decision was eased by the Bulldogs' bright future.

"I know that this place is certainly in good stead.

"I probably would have never even thought about leaving if this place was in a situation where it was going to struggle over the next few years."

- NZPA