The Warriors have accepted they have lost out in their pursuit of Manly fullback Peta Hiku.
Acting coach Andrew McFadden said the Auckland-based NRL club had tried to lure the former Warriors under-20s star back across the Tasman.
However, McFadden understood that Hiku – off contract at the end of the year – would be staying with the Sea Eagles.
“We had a go,” he said on Wednesday.
“We’ve been chasing him for a while, but I believe he has signed with Manly.”
A report in Australia this week said the Warriors tabled a $1 million offer over three years for Hiku, whom the club would use at centre.
Canterbury were also reported to have had the 21-year-old in their sights.
Gisborne-born Hiku was the Warriors’ under-20 player of the year in 2012, before moving to Manly and making 12 appearances in 2013 in his debut NRL season.