The Warriors have denied Tui Lolohea's request for an immediate release with the club insisting he remain in Auckland, at least in the short-term.
Lolohea's player agent Stan Martin today met with Warriors managing director Jim Doyle and recruitment and development manager Tony Iro seeking a release from his contract which expires at the end of next season.
It's understood the 22-year-old utility is keen to move to Sydney midseason to join Wests Tigers, having also attracted interest from Canberra, North Queensland and Newcastle.
He was recently granted permission to talk to rival NRL clubs but the Warriors are not ready to say goodbye to him just yet.
Coach Stephen Kearney believes he could be of value to the side in the coming weeks and at the club is unwilling to part ways with the dual Tongan and Kiwis international until they have appropriate cover.
