NRL: Warriors coach Nathan Brown ‘tells club he WON’T commit to move to New Zealand’

Nathan Brown has informed New Zealand Warriors that he will not commit to a move to Auckland, leaving the NRL club with a mid-season dilemma.

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced the Warriors to base themselves in Australia, but with restrictions easing the club are preparing to move back across the Tasman for the 2023 season.

However, the impending return has seen some players express their desire to leave the club to remain in Australia – including Euan Aitken, Matt Lodge and Reece Walsh.

Nathan Brown has told the Warriors that he does not want to move to New Zealand next season

And according to The Sydney Morning Herald, Brown has told club chiefs that he does not want to move to New Zealand, either, and now they have a decision to make.

Brown has failed to deliver this season, with his side on the receiving end of a handful of heavy losses. Officials must decide whether to sack him now, or wait until they have found a long term replacement.

The Warriors are due back home in a fortnight’s time to play their first match at home in two years against the Panthers.

The Warriors return home next year but a number of figures say they want to stay in Australia

The report adds that Brown will commit to coaching the club for the remainder of his contract, which expires in 2023, meaning he would coach in New Zealand for 12 months before departing.

Brown’s likely exit would once again trigger the NRL coaching merry-go-round, with Trent Barrett out of work after leaving the Bulldogs last month. Two-time premiership winners Shane Flanagan and Paul Green are also available. 

The Warriors have struggled to find their form this season and sit 14th on the ladder having picked up four wins from 13 games thus far.