For a brief moment, a horror spell for the New Zealand Warriors looked set to end in silverware.
But, alas, it wasn’t to be as the Parramatta Eels’ loss didn’t prove to be the Warriors’ gain.
Not content with deducting all Parramatta’s points and imposing a A$1 million fine, the NRL has even taken the Auckland Nines title away from the hapless Eels.
The Warriors, losing finalists in the tournament, will not be awarded the title in their place, with the NRL confirming the tournament will have no winner in 2016.
The Eels have been told they are over the salary cap for 2016 by A$570,000. They will still be able to play for competition points in the remaining games this season if they can renegotiate player contracts or cut players to satisfy the NRL they have met salary cap rules.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg determined the penalty on Monday night after the integrity unit’s near three month investigation into a range of third party agreements, informing Eels officials of the commission-approved sanctions on Tuesday morning.
Greenberg met with the club officials on Tuesday morning to deliver the news.
“We will need to take a stand on behalf of the fans, the club and the game,” Greenberg said.
