Chanel Harris-Tavita of the Warriors during the round one NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans. Photo / Getty Images.
Chanel Harris-Tavita of the Warriors during the round one NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans. Photo / Getty Images.
The Warriors are remaining upbeat, despite the latest injury setback to befall the club, with young gun Chanel Harris-Tavita ruled out for an extended period.
The halfback could be sidelined for up to three months, after scans revealed a broken bone in his foot, following the 20-16 loss to Newcastlelast Friday night.
It's a significant blow.
If there was a list of players that the Warriors couldn't afford to lose this season, Harris-Tavita would be near the top, just outside the marquee men.
Harris-Tavita has always had a bit of x factor about him and was viewed as mature beyond his years.
The 21-year-old playmaker has been given an expanded role under new coach Nathan Brown, often used as first receiver, rather than being confined to one side of the ruck.
He's got the best long range kicking game at the club and was steadily building a partnership with Kodi Nikorima.
But that combination will be put on ice until at least late June, with Harris-Tavita booked for surgery on Tuesday after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in a metatarsal in his left foot.
It's cruel for the Samoan international, who had finally had the chance to cement a first grade spot his season, after being stuck behind Blake Green for the best part of two years.
Chanel Harris-Tavita. Photo / Paul Barkley.
"Obviously he is a bit gutted," said wing David Fusitu'a. "But when he found out he seemed like he was in high spirits and just wanted to get the surgery done and work his way back in. He is a big part of our team so hopefully he comes back sooner rather than later."
The Warriors have also lost prop Jamayne Taumoa-Brown to a three week suspension after an early guilty plea for a crusher tackle against Newcastle, while first choice centre Euan Aitken is a long term absentee with the ankle injury suffered in round one.
The prognosis doesn't look good, especially as the team face a daunting trip to Canberra on Saturday, followed by a clash with the Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but prop Leeson Ah Mau remains positive.
"That's the beauty of our team at the moment, we have a lot of depth and whoever is going to step into those roles, we have to trust that they are going to do a job," said Ah Mau.
New halfback Sean O'Sullivan is green at this level.
He scored a try on his NRL debut in 2018, but that was his only first grade appearance for the Roosters. After relocating to the Broncos, he played eight NRL games over the last two seasons, though was also plagued by injuries.
"He is similar to Chanel," said Ah Mau of O'Sullivan. "They have got good kicking games, good on defence. He is ready pumped, excited, if he gets the opportunity, I think he will be great for us."
Ah Mau said the 22-year-old O'Sullivan, who is the son of the Warriors recruitment manager Peter, made his mark immediately in pre-season, after joining the club following the departure of utility Adam Keighran.
"He was great from the get-go, he is really loud," said Ah Mau. "That's what you need from a halfback, telling everyone where to go. [A] great talker and has a good kicking game so hopefully he does well."
The ex-Junior Kangaroo will be the fifth player to make his debut for the Warriors this season.
The only other change to the starting lineup sees Bunty Afoa come into the front row. The local junior has been impressive so far this season, after coming back from an ACL injury last year.
He's also been vindicated with his decision to stay and fight for a spot, after the club told him he was free to negotiate with other teams at one point during last season.
Former Raider Jack Murchie takes Afoa's spot on the bench for Saturday's match (5pm NZT) in Canberra.
