NZ Warriors chief executive Cameron George has revealed the club may be based in Australia for the 2021 season.
That realistic possibility is growing by the day, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the Tasman, with Victoria going into full lockdown on Monday.
The Warriors have spent all the revamped 2020 campaign in Australia and George concedes they have had open internal discussions over the prospect of next year looking the same.
As the club continues to recruit a new head coach, George says the on-going trans-Tasman border issue is a "major factor" in any potential candidate's decision to shift to New Zealand.
"I don't know what the next six months look like," George said. "I don't even know if this club will be based in Australia next year or back here.
"These are all major factors to employing people and major factors for people to consider, if they want to work for this club at this point
"There are so many balls in the air, and we have to take our time and make the appropriate progress in terms of coaching and other appointments - player and staff recruitment
But George rules out any thought the club would consider withdrawing from yet another COVID-19 infected season.
"Not from our end," he says. "This is a fluid possession, but we are focussed on implementing a really good off-season programme for next year.
"Hopefully, we'll be back at Mt Smart, but we are aware of the situation and we are exploring various options.
"But we will be there in some shape or form."
That form is unlikely to include interim coach Todd Payten, who has removed himself from the running for the full-time gig.
Reports from Australia had Payten as odds-on favourite to secure the role, but the former Wests Tigers prop confirmed he had rejected an offer from the club.
Payten claims personal family reasons are the motivating factor behind his decision.
"We spoke to Todd several weeks ago and put a plan to him for the future," says George. "Due to personal circumstances - and I understand those very much - he withdrew from consideration.
"Todd is a terrific person and a terrific coach. He is certainly going through some challenges and we, as a club, respect that very much."
Payten has a year to run on his contract, but he has been linked to the vacant job at North Queensland Cowboys.
Payten has indicated that he is pursuing that role and George hints he wouldn't stand in his way.
"What I can say is he is a terrific person with a tremendous work ethic, and what he is doing for our club and our fans right now is a testament to his character.
"We will work through the process and understand what those expectations look like. Things can change, especially in this environment.
"Todd has our full support with the challenges he is dealing with alongside his family and that's our focus at the moment."
The search for the next Warriors coach continues, with recently available Paul Green appearing to have the front-running, but George says the club won't be rushed into a decision and is confident it has quality candidates remaining in the shortlist.
"We are still undergoing a process and exploring our options. We have some significant challenges in NZ and Australia in regards to access to the country.
"We are taking our time to understand what the short-term future looks like, and what the mid and long-term future looks like.
"As I sit here right now, the reality is we can't even get people into this country and we're even struggling to get our own players back, so under this circumstance, we are in no rush.
"We are comfortable with the options we have got and as things become clearer with our future, we will unravel our plan."
The Warriors head to Brookvale Oval this week to tackle Manly Sea Eagles on Friday night.
Join us at 8pm Friday for live updates of the NZ Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles NRL clash
