The New Zealand Warriors have been sold to a consortium led by Hawaiian politician Richard Fale, according to reports.

According to Stuff.co.nz, the NRL franchise has been sold to a Tongan-American NFL consortium run by the colourful and ambitious Utah-born 36-year-old.

Fale, who served in the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan, brings with him a reputation as a wildcard, with his grand vision and staunch intent to lead both the Warriors and the local Pacific Island community into uncharted regions of success raising the eyebrows of sceptics wary of his bold declarations.

 

His shoot-from-the-hip style almost saw negotiations fall over last month, when he threatened to pack his bags and fly home, furious in believing his group's Pacific Island heritage saw him underestimated by owner Eric Watson, who rejected his formal offer of $22 million while holding out for his reported $24m asking price.

"You can't be a pushover," Fale told the Herald on Sunday.

"[The club owner] is someone that you've got to count on that is firm in their values and principles.

"There's certain things we won't tolerate, like being treated unfairly, throwing stereotypes around.

"I have a major issue when people view Pacific Islanders as dumb idiots. 'They're great athletes but anything off the field, just shut your mouth'. That, I don't react very well to.

"I say, no, we do have something valuable to say. We are intelligent, we do deserve to be in position to make decisions, so don't just blow us off and think we're just cavemen with nothing intelligent to say.

"Treat us fair, treat us equally, and we'll be fine."

The Warriors currently sit second on the NRL standing after starting the season with four straight wins for the first time in their franchise history.