Former Warriors prop James Gavet says he was forced out of the club after the 2018 season, claiming he was sacrificed to free up salary cap space.
Gavet, 29, last year signed with the Newcastle Knights for the upcoming season, and is expected to start the 2019 campaign alongside big money acquisition, David Klemmer.
Speaking to the NRL's website, Gavet opened up about his exit from the Warriors, saying that he was threatened with a season in the reserves if he didn't leave.
"In the end they weren't too keen on me staying and if I stayed they said I'd have to cop a few things," Gavet said.
"They said I'd have to play in State Cup and that even after starting all year.
However, Gavet also says that he holds no ill-will towards the Warriors over the nature of his departure from the club.
"I was going to be on close to double what I was on last year so I think it was just a safer option for them to free up some money.
"It's a business at the end of the day and it's the way the cookie crumbles.
"They don't get rid of you but they force your hand and in the end they tell the media that 'he left and he was a bad trainer' and whatnot."
Despite moveing away from his young family, Gavet said that he holds no regrets over leaving New Zealand, saying: I'm feeling as if my footy career would grow further here than it would at the Warriors even if it meant that I had to cop moving away from family again.
"Leaving my two kids back in Auckland was a big decision to make but we've been in contact and my parents and all my loved ones are happy for me."
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