Glenn vs. Watson: Details revealed

Sir Owen Glenn (left) and Eric Watson. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

Warriors chairman Bill Wavish wanted Sir Owen Glenn reined in after this year's Nines tournament to prevent the rugby league team's co-owner from "causing any further damage" to the club, court documents allege.

Mr Wavish made a complaint in February alleging that Sir Owen was seen "grabbing patrons' bottoms and sucking a wedge of lemon from the mouth of a female patron" while out at Auckland's Euro Bar and Restaurant with three high-profile Warriors players and then coach Matt Elliott, the documents claim.

Mr Wavish's complaint is revealed in a statement of defence filed with the High Court at Auckland by a company called EJ Group, which is linked to Warriors co-owner Eric Watson. Sir Owen denies the allegations.

EJ Group is defending legal action brought by Sir Owen's interests that seek to recover more than $6 million and transfer back his company's half-share in GWNZ, the corporate vehicle that owns the Warriors.

Documents from both sides in the case were released to the Herald yesterday by the High Court's Justice Geoffrey Venning.

Mr Wavish, according to EJ Group's statement of defence, wrote to the board of GWNZ in an official complaint saying Sir Owen's alleged actions had resulted in "risks and damages to what the Warriors represents as a rugby league football club".

Mr Wavish's complaint was made just days after an alleged confrontation during which Sir Owen claims he was "verbally-threatened, abused and physically intimidated" by Mr Watson.

This alleged altercation took place the Monday after February's Nines tournament, where Sir Owen is said to have threatened to withdraw the Warriors after being told he couldn't depart from Eden Park in his car because of vehicle restrictions.

Mr Wavish complained of Sir Owen allegedly making disparaging comments about Warriors sponsors in a speech and asking a female member of his staff to purchase sex toys for players' wives and girlfriends, EJ Group's document claims.

The chairman also complained about the alleged incident at the Nines and the separate event at Euro where Sir Owen also allegedly "made shocking comments about his sex life", EJ Group's statement of defence says.

Mr Wavish's complaint requested that the directors of GWNZ "implement whatever steps were necessary to prevent Sir Owen causing further damage to the Warriors", the court documents claim.

In a reply, Sir Owen-linked company Kea Investments admitted the existence of the complaint but denied the truth of the allegations.

Kea's statement of claim against EJ Group, which kicked the legal action off, says the company and Sir Owen had been excluded from major decisions associated with the Warriors since February.

Kea said its approval was not given or sought when it was decided Mr Elliott would "exit" the club in April or when appointing incoming club chief executive Jim Doyle.