Former Kiwi International and one-time New Zealand Warriors coach Tony Kemp has blasted the club as it counts down the days until they return to Auckland after a number of years living and playing in Australia due to the COVID pandemic.

But Kemp didn’t miss with the side sitting on a 4-8 record but continues to leak talent to rivals.

Several other Australian-born players have been moved on due to their reluctance to live in New Zealand.

“Stop pretending Isaiah Papali’i never had the potential he is delivering for Parramatta, when he should be smashing it out for the Warriors,” Kemp wrote for SEN NZ.

“An example of a player screaming out for development. Stop pretending that you haven’t released talented, underperforming players that have gone on and reached their full potential with other clubs.

“Stop pretending that it is too hard to develop players in key positions such as hooker and halfback. Look at Jahrome Hughes, a fullback converted into arguably a top-3 halfback in the NRL. How much proof do you need?

“Stop pretending that you can’t create better people and that better people don’t make great players or staff.”

Warriors young gun Chanel Harris-Tavita recently announced he was walking away from the game at the tender age of 23 to pursue travel and writing while prop Matt Lodge was released after just 14 games and paid out in full.