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Kodi Nikorima was the driver behind an immediate release from the Broncos and a three-season NRL contract with the Warriors.
The Warriors insist it was Kodi Nikorima who pushed for a contract-busting early release from Brisbane before signing a three-season deal beginning immediately with the Kiwi NRL club.
New Zealand Test halfback Nikorima arrives in Auckland on Saturday and will be in the Mt Smart Stadium stands a day later to watch his new team host Newcastle.
Next Saturday he's poised to debut for the Warriors against St George Illawarra, ironically back at Suncorp Stadium, where he plied his trade for more than seven years with the Broncos.
However, it seemed his affection towards Brisbane had waned this season as criticism over his early-season performances mounted.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George told reporters on Friday that ongoing talks to try to lure Nikorima to Auckland next year burst to life this week when Nikorima's agent declared he wanted an immediate move.
"To be honest the release element of his deal has been irrelevant to us, we were of interest next year," George said.
"It was put to us he could be a chance to come immediately... he was really keen to come now."
George hailed the deal five months after Warriors great Shaun Johnson departed in the off-season.
He stressed they were never rushed in their search for the ideal halfback replacement, revealing prospective candidates were offered to them at an average rate of two per week.
"We wanted to take a deep breath. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to work out what's actually required for your squad," George said.
"You want to give some young kids a go and some other players the opportunity in trials. It was about getting it right.
"We've still got plenty of opportunity within our salary cap to keep exploring other options as well.
"Getting it wrong can take you five minutes, but unravelling it can take you years."
The Warriors may choose to front-load Nikorima's contract to create more space for recruitment in 2020 and 2021.
Nikorima will be expected to bond quickly with Blake Green and forge a match-winning halves duo for at least this season and next.
The pair will also play a role in developing the club's rising halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita.
The rookie has shown promise when thrust into chief playmaking duties in recent weeks without the injured Green but can now expect to be demoted to reserve grade.
Nikorima welcomed the prospect of a fresh start under Warriors coach Stephen Kearney, who handed him the first of 13 Kiwis Test caps in 2015.
"I like the direction the club is heading in and it will also be good to be around a lot of familiar faces, both the coaches and team-mates," he said in a statement.
"I also want to thank the Broncos for the opportunity they gave me to develop as a player."
