Former NZ Warriors star Sione Faumuina has launched a brutal attack on the Auckland-based NRL club, after it decided to sack Stephen Kearney.
On Saturday, the Warriors confirmed Kearney had been relieved of his duties, less than 24 hours after their 40-12 defeat to South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George said the decision wasn't made overnight and that Kearney "took it on the chin, but was certainly shattered about it".
The decision has met with criticism from pundits and former players, including Faumuina, who believes Kearney should've been given until the end of the season, considering the team's circumstances, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a Facebook video, Faumuina - who played for the Warriors between 2002-06 - says, if he was still playing, he'd want to walk out on the team.
"It's the stupidest, most ridiculous decision any Warriors management in their history has made," he says.
"That was the dumbest decision to do, considering what's going on right now. It's selfish, it lacks empathy… one of the worst decisions I've ever seen made in the NRL.
"I'm calling out the owner. It was the worst thing you could have done.
"If I was playing and this happened, I'd want to come home now. I'd be like 'F this, send me home'.
"I don't know how anyone could pull the trigger on this decision during this time."
The Warriors have a two-win/four-loss record in 2020 and face playing out their entire season across the Tasman, with the coronavirus pandemic preventing travel between New Zealand and Australia - a challenge no other team has to bear.
Players with Australian partners are allowed to see their families, but most of the Warriors won't see their loved ones again until the end of the season.
"I'm guessing, before they left for Australia, they made a pact that they were going to ride this out to the end and to have this happen right now after this loss, it baffles me," Faumuina adds.
"Do you not understand what's going on? What these people have sacrificed to play a game.
"They won't see their families until the end of the season, so whoever decided to sack Stephen right now made the dumbest move ever.
"Surely, common sense would've said 'let's give him till the end of the season, let's back them regardless, because they've sacrificed so much', but no.
"To add this onto everything else, I hope you all come together. I know it'll be tough - I feel for all the players and the staff."
Under Kearney's reign, the Warriors have won just 33 of 79 games, making the finals only once - in 2018 - for a first-week exit.
Former player and current Australian coach Mal Meninga felt the decision was harsh.
"The coaches have got their necks in the noose and they're the fall guys for no success," he has told Fox Sports.
"To me, I just feel that it was a bit premature, considering all the situations the Warriors have confronted this year alone - COVID-19, being away from families - and I feel it was probably a bit harsh, unless there was something a bit deeper."
Fox Sports commentator Warren Smith was also baffled by the decision.
"As for the Warriors sacking Stephen Kearney, you'd hate to be in the trenches with the people who made that decision," he has tweeted.
"Hard to imagine more difficult circumstances than what the players and coaches are going through at the moment and this is how the execs say thanks.
"Classy. Not."
All Blacks legend and former Warriors player Sir John Kirwan has spoken out for Kearney.
"Covid has taught us to be kind and to see sport for what it is," he tweeted. "The way the Warriors treated my friend Stephen Kearney, after all he has done in the biggest sacrifice in any team sport, makes me sad.
"Whoever decided this could not see the big picture - you've lost a fan."
Kearney was the 10th permanent coach in the Warriors' 25-year history, and the fourth since they made the grand final nine years ago.
Assistant coach Todd Payten, who played 250 NRL games for Canberra Raiders, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers, will take the reins for the remainder of the season as the Warriors search for a long-term replacement.
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