NZ Warriors have opened up on the pending departure of their outgoing skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
The popping of the trans-Tasman bubble for at least eight weeks, and a lack of managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) spots means Tuivasa-Sheck will leave the club to return home on Thursday.
It's led to questions over the timing, particularly with the playoffs still a chance.
The Kiwi club is preparing for life after Tuivasa-Sheck, following an emotional few days.
"For me, it's pretty sad," rookie fullback Reece Walsh says.
"I felt like I could've cried. If he burst out a tear, I felt like I would have shed one myself."
Tuivasa-Sheck was granted an early release to return to New Zealand, due to the closing of the borders here, and a lack of MIQ spots after the NRL season.
But it has led to criticism of both him and the club.
"He can't afford to be stuck in Australia in October, which is a real possibility," coach Nathan Brown says.
"To gain his release, he's also given up $300,000."
Brown also believes the criticism of Tuivasa-Sheck’s exit, both of the player and club, is unnecessary.
"When the boss back home says you can come back on September 25, if this doesn't happen, the virus doesn't hit Queensland, you've got to listen," he adds.
Brown's also determined to not let his skipper's departure, and other injuries, be an excuse for results.
"If we play with good energy, that will determine whether the white flag's up," he says. "If we didn't play with good energy, there'd be no one more disappointed than me."
Their run home to the playoffs favours the Warriors - just one of their last six games is against opposition currently in the top eight.
