By STEVE KILGALLON
The New Zealand Rugby League should finally be able to offload its troublesome shareholding in the Warriors within the next six weeks.
NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson believes he can conclude negotiations for the sale of its 15% holding in the club to majority owner Cullen Sports before the NRL season starts on March 12.
After a tempestuous relationship between the NZRL and the Warriors last season, lengthy negotiations accelerated when the Sunday Star-Times revealed Cullen's videotaped 2004 negotiations to refocus its attentions on rugby union. But Cullen chairman Maurice Kidd and Pearson said the tape had not caused any problems.
"The sooner we get a conclusion, the better - both parties are working as hard as they can on it," said Kidd.
The NZRL is now under increasing pressure to secure the future of coach Brian McClennan, who remains in negotiations over a renewed contract. Pearson described talks as "pretty good", but McClennan said they would continue for some time. Meanwhile, the NZRL has reappointed Pat Carthy as business manager and Peter "The Mad Butcher" Leitch as football manager for the 2006 Kiwis.
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