The Warriors boss says coach Matthew Elliot’s job is not under threat following their record loss to the Panthers but players have been ticked off for their post-match demeanour.
Several Warriors players were shown relaxed and smiling immediately after the 62-6 loss to Penrith on Saturday, the heaviest defeat in the club’s 19-year history.
Those images prompted chief executive Wayne Scurrah to issue a warning to the players at a meeting after the under-fire team returned to Auckland on Sunday.
“It wasn’t acceptable and we’ve addressed it,” Scurrah told Fairfax media.
“Whatever the reason for the facial expressions they were showing, on the field right then was not the time to show that.”
Scurrah said first-year coach Elliot was safe in his role even though the Warriors remain second-last, having lost eight of 10 games and conceded 284 points.
“He is under no threat. Matt’s had a career at the club spanning 10 games.
“He’s had a lot of challenges with injuries and implementing a lot of changes that the board, the management and the owners saw necessary to improve our performance and become a more consistent team.”