NZ Warriors CEO Cameron George has confirmed a disagreement between the NRL club's owner and recently departed Matt Lodge last year played a role in the prop's sudden exit.
Lodge was granted an early release from his contract with the Warriors after he said he didn't want to relocate to New Zealand next season when the team returned from Australia.
George confirmed reports from the Daily Telegraph of an argument that took place between Mark Robinson and Lodge at a hotel in Redcliffe seven months ago.
Speaking to media on Thursday, George suggested the squabble was not 'heated', before later backtracking and suggesting the pair hadn't been able to move on from it.
"It was a heated discussion, debate, whatever you call it, between the two parties," he said.
"A lot of water went under the bridge between now and then, but sometimes you can't let go of certain things.
"I don't know whether we ever moved on from it," George said. "I have no doubt that it played a big part in it as well.
"While it came as a surprise for most people, it's a discussion we've been having for a few weeks now, we just wanted to conclude it and move on.
"It wasn't a fight, it was just a debate. You've got two guys that have strong opinions on different things."
George is convinced the right decision was made for everyone involved and thanked Lodge for his time at the Warriors.
"I don't know whether he had to go but it was the option every party agreed was the best one," he said.
"These things happen and we just move on. Matt's happy and he and his family were great during their time here and we're glad we were able to sensibly work through it."
Australia's Fox Sports reported earlier that Lodge was paid out $766,000 for the remainder of his contract - with that figure counting towards the Warriors' NRL salary cap until the end of 2023.
George wouldn't comment on the report or number, but is confident Robinson has the club's best interests at heart and the Warriors are headed in the right direction.
"I know Mark is very strong on trying to get everything right and if that means we have to sacrifice parts of our business, like the salary cap, then so be it," he said.
"At the end of the day it means we have what we have in our roster working towards the one direction and everyone is happy.
"Matt has been outstanding for us but we have other people that need to stand up, and not just worry about Matt alone. They've got to fulfil the role now and we've got some young kids that will hopefully get an opportunity soon."
