Broncos winger Corey Oates says his teammates were left "hurt" by the shock departure of Kodi Nikorima to the Warriors.
Last week, Nikorima was released by the Broncos and joined the Warriors on a two-and-a-half-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2021.
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The five-eighth had been in the Broncos system since 2012 and played many games alongside Oates during his 86 outings for the Brisbane franchise.
But first-year Broncos coach Anthony Seibold told the New Zealand international he wasn't needed, and the 25-year-old quickly found a new club in his home nation.
The departure of Nikorima adds to the long list of drama going on at the struggling club after Seibold demoted James Roberts and Jamayne Isaako to reserves, demanding more from his stars, while Andrew McCullough is out with injury.
"There's a fair bit going on, Kodi leaving and the shock injury of Andrew McCullough the other day," Oates said on Australia's Channel Nine.
"It's been a bit of a tough couple of weeks, and I think that hurt us a fair bit.
"I think it was a bit of a shock when Kodi left and we had Tommy Dearden coming in late week, so that might have hurt the boys a bit."
Nikorima coped plenty of criticism in the early rounds this season, as the Broncos have a 2-6 record this season to sit 13th in the standings - one spot below the Warriors.
Nikorima will make his Warriors debut at Suncorp Stadium, the home of the Brisbane Broncos, but it will be against the St George Illawarra Dragons as part of NRL's 'Magic Round'.
Should he stay fit, Nikorima will get to face his former club in two weeks when the Warriors host the Broncos.
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