1 Nov 2012

Tony Iro to leave New Zealand Warriors

7:22 am on 1 November 2012

The New Zealand Warriors have confirmed rumours that assistant coach Tony Iro will be leaving the National Rugby League club.

Iro has been with the Warriors for seven years and took over the first grade side this season when the head coach Brian McClennan was sacked with two games remaining.

The Warriors have been waiting for Iro to decide his future after it recently appointed the Australian Matthew Elliot to take the reigns in next year's competiton

He has been granted an early release from his contract to pursue other opportunities and the chief executive Wayne Scurrah says the club had been keen for Iro to continue but respect his choice.

The head coach Matt Elliott says he had hoped Iro would stay for the 2013 season and beyond.

Iro says the decision was a difficult one.

Iro has been linked to the assistant coach's role at the Sydney Roosters, a position recently vacated by Elliot.