NZ Warriors have been handed another blow, with NRL guru Phil Gould "reducing" his role as club consultant to take over as general manager of Canterbury Bulldogs.
Gould, 63, linked up with the Warriors in August 2020, with the intent of helping the Kiwi club develop both on and off the field.
The former premiership-winning coach with both the Bulldogs and Penrith Panthers intended to grow the Warriors in both commercial and footballing capacities, and was to focus on player development pathways in New Zealand as well as the Pacific Islands.
But just shy of a year into the role, Gould has opted to take over as the Bulldogs' general manager, citing COVID-19 and the challenges the pandemic has brought to his role and its impact on his ability to travel to New Zealand.
Gould will return to the Bulldogs, who he coached from 1988-89, winning the premiership in his first year.
"Because of COVID, the things I had been wanting to do with the Warriors was impossible," Gould told Channel Nine.
"We had lockdowns, bubbles, I couldn't get across to New Zealand.
"Finally the bubble was opening up around Magic Round, and I went to New Zealand that week. I went over there twice and we've put the framework in place for a new Warriors academy and some pathway programs over there.
"But it just made sense. It made sense for the Warriors and me too.
"The opportunity to come back to my old club, the Bulldogs, who I had an association with back in the '80s and to take on a very challenging role. It's a great opportunity."
Warriors chief executive Cameron George though made it clear that Gould will still be involved with the Kiwi club, albeit in a "reduced" capacity.
"We've agreed to reduce Phil's position due to the ongoing uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, not least the restrictions on travel and the NRL bubble," George says.
"It's hugely disappointing but it has been extremely difficult if not impossible for Gus to provide us with his presence either in New Zealand or in our NRL bubble in Australia.
"He'll continue to offer advice to our pathways staff on request which will allow him to commit to work closer to home in Sydney without the challenges we're experiencing.
"If Gus chooses to work with another NRL club he does so with our support."
Gould's reduction comes with the Warriors languishing in 13th on the NRL ladder, with 12 points from 16 games in 2021, sitting four points adrift of a top eight spot.
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