A face-to-face meeting at the Auckland Nines was pivotal to Kieran Foran's contract finally being rubber-stamped by the governing body, says NRL boss Todd Greenberg.
Foran is set to make a comeback to the game in round three after the NRL registered his contract on Wednesday.
And Greenberg revealed it was a sit-down at the Nines that convinced him the former New Zealand captain was ready for a return to the game.
"I made a conscious effort to make sure that I spoke to him and looked him in the eye. That was an important conversation," Greenberg said.
"I have a very high regard for Kieran, as a footballer clearly, but also as a person. He went through some real difficulties last year. He made some poor choices last year.
"But I think he's making some progress. He's also in a great environment. I've got to give credit to Jim Doyle and the Warriors for the way they've helped him.
"And clearly he's still got some work to do. I hope that rugby league is part of that for him."
Greenberg remains confident Foran will meet the conditions required of him to avoid a repeat of the problems that led to him leaving Parramatta midway through last year.
Asked whether that included severing ties with controversial gambling identity Eddie Hayson, Greenberg declined to say.
"I don't think it's helpful for Kieran or for us to talk specifically," he said.
"But it'd be fair to say he's very aware of the responsibilities that go with being an NRL footballer, and that will be more prescriptive in his contract than others.
"He's acutely aware of his responsibilities, but he's still got some more things to do. I'm sure that he will do that, run out for the Warriors and there'll be no one happier than me."
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