League: Injured Warriors forwards Issac Luke and Tohu Harris ruled out of clash against Gold Coast Titans

Name: ANZ Sports Scene: It's crunch time in Super Rugby while Joseph Parker's career hangs in the balance.
Uploaded: 2018-07-27T13:00:01+12:00
Duration: 415 s
Description: The Hurricanes look to change history in Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders while Joseph Parker gears up for career defining fight against Dillian Whyte.

By David Skipwith

Reporter·NZ Herald·

26 Jul, 2018 11:57 PM2 mins to read

The Hurricanes look to change history in Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders while Joseph Parker gears up for career defining fight against Dillian Whyte.

The Warriors have suffered a double blow with injured hooker Issac Luke and second-rower Tohu Harris ruled out of Sunday's NRL clash against the Gold Coast Titans.

The two Kiwi internationals will miss the match at Cbus Super Stadium after failing to recover from respective calf and knee injuries.

Luke has been hampered by Achilles and calf issues over the past month and limped off early in the second-half of last week's 12-6 loss to Melbourne at Mt Smart Stadium.

Harris has missed the past three games after having surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee following the round 16 defeat to Cronulla.

The 26-year-old was expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks but returned to train with the side ahead of schedule this week.

Both were initially named in the starting side to face the Titans but coach Stephen Kearney admitted they were in doubt to play after taking limited part at training on Thursday.

The pair remain integral to the Warriors finals hopes and won't be risked this week but it is hoped they will be fit to return for next Saturday's difficult away assignment against St George Illawarra in Wollongong.

Neither player made the trip across the Tasman with the side yesterday, but both are expected to join their teammates next Monday, with the Warriors remaining in camp in Australia in the lead-up to facing the Dragons at WIN Stadium.

Luke's absence means bench forward utility Jazz Tevaga and versatile reserve hooker Karl Lawton are likely to share the No 9 role.

Back-rower Leivaha Pulu is also among the extended reserves and looms as the likely replacement for Harris.

The 28-year-old is set to play against his former club in his first game back after recovering from a foot fracture that has kept him out of action since mid-April.

The eighth-placed Warriors need to win at least two of their remaining six games to qualify their first finals appearance in seven years.