Te Maire Martin came close to joining the Warriors this season.

Te Maire Martin's agent Andrew Purcell has accused the Warriors of doing a backflip on signing his player, because of rumours about an affair he had with a team-mate's partner.

The Warriors were in the hunt for the Tokoroa born Martin midway through the season, around the same time as Tuimoala Lolohea was looking for a release to join Wests Tigers.

Although Martin's name was linked with a move to the Warriors on several occasions as he struggled for game time at the Panthers, no deal eventuated and the 21-year-old signed for the Cowboys.

It turned out to be a dream move for Martin as he's playing in the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, while the Warriors are four weeks into their off season.

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However, Purcell told Fox Sports in Australia that the Warriors got cold feet and withdrew a lucrative offer because of the rumour that he's slept with a Penrith teammate's partner, that the playing group didn't want him in the team and management didn't want him at the club.

The rumour was completely false, but Purcell said the Warriors were frightened off.

"He was going," Purcell told Fox Sports of the Warriors.

"They pulled out cold on the stupid rumours they heard."

Warriors executive chairman Jim Doyle, who was chief executive at the time, has been contacted for comment.

The rumours affected Martin and his family, even though there was no truth to them and it got so bad that Panthers general manager Phil Gould chose to put out a press release to try to quash them.

"I don't usually respond to rumours," Gould said in July.

"However this particular accusation against Te Maire has been most vicious, scurrilous and hurtful," Gould said.

"I seriously question the motivation and integrity of those who started this rubbish."

Gould said the playing group gathered to discuss the matter.

"We had a conversation and the players dismissed it and said they wanted to support Te Maire," he said.

"It all started with a couple of media types who are desperate for a story when he missed a couple of games through injury.

It somehow became him being stood down because of an affair. I can't emphasise enough how wrong this is and I am speaking out today because of the hurt it has caused him and his family.

"The rumour is hurtful to Te Maire, his family and to the women who are wives and partners of our players."

Martin, who has been a revelation at the Cowboys, is set to play a key role for the Kiwis in the World Cup, which starts next month and he'll partner Shaun Johnson in the halves.

The Warriors moved on Martin, but haven't yet signed someone else to play in the halves.

They have been linked with the Sea Eagles' Blake Green, even though he has another year on his contract with the Trent Barrett coached team and it's understood when Ata Hingano chose to re-sign with the Warriors this year, he did so believing he'd get a spot in the starting team next year.