Star left in tears on field as club say he’s no longer wanted

The Wests Tigers-bound Ken Maumalo was apparently forced out of the New Zealand Warriors – that’s according to his manager.

Fox Sports has reported that Maumalo’s agent, Stan Martin, claimed that the Kiwi international wanted to be a one-club man and would never have left the Warriors under his own steam.

The winger scored a hat-trick as the Warriors went down 42-16 to the Melbourne Storm and ended the game in tears as his teammates comforted him.

“Did you see Ken after the game? He certainly didn’t look like a guy who wanted to leave the club,” Martin said.

“There was a story in the press over here in New Zealand that said Ken asked for a release.

“He never wanted to leave – he’s been with the Warriors since he was 16 and wanted to finish his career there.

“The club made him go. I’m only coming out and saying this because I don’t want him to be viewed as a guy who chose to leave the club, his hand was forced in my view.

“He was not actively looking for a release as has been portrayed.

“He only asked for a release after the club told him he wouldn’t be offered anything beyond his contract expiry in 2022.”

Maumalo scored 44 tries in 106 games for the Warriors and the 26-year-old will link up with the Tigers immediately.