Warriors line up loan targets to replace homesick trio

The Warriors will begin to move on possible loan targets to replace David Fusitu'a, Agnatius Paasi and Ken Maumalo if plans for their families to join them in Australia do not progress within the next week.

Having already had visa applications denied by Border Force for their families to join Warriors camp on the NSW Central Coast, the trio have told the club and NRL chiefs that they will continue playing up until their round 10 clash with Cronulla on July 19.

But with less than three weeks until that D-Day and Victoria's COVID-19 spike not helping government discussions, the Warriors have drawn up a list of potential players to pursue as loan replacements for the trio.

A pair of wingers will be crucial should noted try-scorers Fusitu'a and Maumalo return to New Zealand given their outside back options are already stretched thin by injury.

"There's obviously a plan around those three guys, we've put together a list over the last three days and we'll continue to look at that list," coach Todd Payten said on Wednesday.

"We've drawn up a list, that's as far as its gone. I think it's prudent that we're prepared if that does happen because we're going to have to go to the NRL, go to the clubs and get them over the line.

"It'd be idiotic just to leave it until they go and then be caught with our pants down.

"There is a list, it is being looked at daily, and if we haven't heard anything within a week, I guess we'll push down that path a little bit further."

Out-of-favour Wests Tigers skipper Benji Marshall has been suggested as a possible loan option, but Payten said while "he would add value to our squad", no approach has been made and the Warriors remain well-stocked for halves.

The rookie coach reiterated the club and wider playing group's commitment to the 2020 NRL season, despite no clarity on when they will be able to return to New Zealand.

ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys remains hopeful a trans-Tasman bubble will be established soon to ease the strain of the Warriors two-month stint away from home.

Paasi has four young children in Auckland along with his partner back in Auckland, while Maumalo is also a young father and Fusitu'a's partner is expecting the couples' first child.

The trio aired their frustrations at the rejected travel exemptions to V'landys and interim NRL CEO Andrew Abdo on Saturday.

Family members of other players including Adam Blair, Tohu Harris and Blake Green have joined the Warriors camp after it was a key condition of the club's relocation to Australia on May 3.

"From our end, the frustration was around there being plenty of talk and no real resolution," Payten said.

"At the end of the phone call we laid it all out there and they know where we stand.

"It's just the three at the moment but if they go, obviously there's some other challenges that will face the group.

It'd be idiotic just to leave it until they go

Warriors coach Todd Payten

"So fingers crossed we get the right answer from the government and the NRL, we can move on and have 100 per cent focus on our games from week-to-week."

The Warriors dearth of fit players and uncertainty makes for an especially difficult scenario in camp, with Payten overhauling the team's defence following a 50-6 thrashing by Melbourne.

In a further blow, captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's challenge of his one-week shoulder charge ban was upheld at the judiciary on Tuesday.

Peta Hiku replaces him at fullback for Saturday's clash with fellow stragglers Brisbane while Gerard Beale comes into the centres.