NRL great Andrew Johns has labelled the NZ Warriors management "crazy" for allowing Blake Green to leave the club in 2021.
The 33-year-old playmaker has been deemed surplus to requirements beyond this season, as club owner Mark Robinson looks to rebuild the struggling squad following Stephen Kearney's departure.
Green joins Gerard Beale and reportedly Adam Blair on the chopping block, but Johns is bemused the club are willing to part ways with such an experienced, capable and proven hand as Green.
"It leaves them without a rudder," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour.
"They've always been a club with so much potential, they have such a big team, but they've always lacked direction since Stacey Jones retired.
"Blake Green has done a marvellous job there, he's a really great game manager. He's not one of those players that will win you a game. But he keeps them on track. He's the rudder in the ship that keeps them going. Without him, I don't know who organises the team."
Johns, a NRL immortal, has been particularly impressed with Green's efforts in 2020, where the veteran half has played a key role in the clubs three wins this season.
The Australian was particularly effective against the Broncos earlier this month, turning the match with his kicking game and option taking.
The former Newcastle Knights star believes Green will attract quality buyers, including his former club, which is riding high this season, well inside the playoff spots.
"He would be a great pick up; your obvious ones are the Broncos, the Dogs, even Newcastle," he said.
"Newcastle have got Kurt Mann as a five-eighth, but not a recognised five-eighth, he would be a great pick-up for any club."
While critical of the Warriors' recruitment decisions, Johns says he has no issue with several players returning home after three months in Australia.
David Fusitu'a, Ken Maumalo, Agnatius Paasi and King Vuniyayawa have all been booked to fly back to New Zealand on July 27.
John credited the players for sticking in as long as they had, calling their decision to leave Australia as "totally understandable" given the circumstances.
