NZ Warriors have denied their roster shake-up is targeted at clients of controversial player manager Isaac Moses.
Reports from Sydney suggest veteran forward Adam Blair may be next on the hit list, with Blake Green and Gerard Beale already told they're not wanted for next season.
All three are managed by Moses, who also has sacked coach Stephen Kearney on his books.
But a statement issued by Warriors chairman Rob Croot and chief executive Cameron George claims these movements are not an attempt to dilute Moses' influence on the Auckland-based NRL club.
"We wish to correct the impression created by ongoing reporting surrounding players we have on our roster who are managed by Isaac," they say.
"It has been claimed that Adam Blair's position with the club is affected because he's managed by Isaac. That's not the case.
"This association has also been made with other personnel as well."
The Warriors have 12 players off contract at the end of the season - Blair has an option for another year - with a range of managers involved in negotiations.
"While we enjoy good relationships with player managers across the NRL - including Isaac - who players are managed by doesn't form the basis of decisions we make when negotiating contracts.
"Our discussions are based on player performance, the player's fit with the club, the future make-up of our NRL roster and our salary cap."
Moses has recently drawn criticism from Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and analyst Phil Gould, after a league investigation into his handling of contract negotiations.
Moses reportedly threatened to pull his players from the Warriors in 2019, if the club didn't extend Kearney's contract.
Moses has appealed the NRL's decision to have him deregistered, alleging he convinced former client and rugby league player Tim Mannah to provide false evidence to mislead the competition's Integrity unit.
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