Union wins tug-of-war with League for teen prodigy

New Zealand Rugby has won the battle for cross-code prodigy Etene Nanai-Seturo after coming to an agreement with the New Zealand Warriors.

The NZR and New Zealand Warriors has been in dispute since Nanai-Seturo, who recently played for the New Zealand sevens side in Hamilton, made it clear he has aspirations of leaving league for union.

Under the agreement, Nanai-Seturo has been released from all his obligations to the Warriors with all terms and conditions of the release to be kept confidential.

NZR General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen said they had a productive meeting with the Warriors which resulted in an amicable outcome for both parties, and agreed protocols regarding contracted players switching between the two codes.

“We have an enormous amount of respect for each other’s organisations and we wish each other every success in our respective codes,” said Sorensen.

“We have also agreed on protocols to be followed where either of us is made aware of any player who is interested in changing codes in the middle of their employment. Under those protocols we will be able to avoid this situation arising again in future,” Sorensen said.

Warriors CEO Cameron George welcomed the agreement and said he was looking forward to continuing to have a productive relationship with New Zealand Rugby.

“We need to work together when faced with these situations and it is not in either of our interests for these matters to be aired in public,” he said.

“The Warriors wish Etene well with his career,”

According to the New Zealand Herald, the youngster is most likely to join the Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs.

Credit: Rugby365