The Warriors will make a significant change to their team to face the Gold Coast Titans this weekend, with young halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita starting his first match for the club.
With star halfback Shaun Johnson having left the club for the Cronulla Sharks at the end of last year, Harris-Tavita and Adam Keighran found themselves contending to replace the Warriors’ all-time points scorer in the side.
Turning 20 years old tomorrow, Harris-Tavita has been forced to watch from the sidelines as Keighran had first crack in the Warriors’ halves, however following the embarrassing 46-12 defeat to the Sea Eagles in Christchurch, coach Stephen Kearney is rolling the dice in picking the youngster.
"Chanel will get a shot with us, he's had an awesome pre-season, it was real tight the race between [Keighran] and Chanel, so now that Chanel gets a chance he's looking forward to seeing how he goes in the top side," captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck said.
"Just seeing Chanel run, that's what we want. Run, play fast, that's the style that he has and I just want to see him run, because with ball in hand he's pretty dangerous.”
Elsewhere, Karl Lawton will come into the Warriors’ side at hooker, with Issac Luke ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Lawton, 23, comes into the side with Nathaniel Roache also unavailable, and will share the hooker duties with Jazz Tevaga.
The Warriors face the Titans on Friday night at Mt Smart Stadium.
Warriors team to face Titans: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2. David Fusitu'a, 3. Peta Hiku, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Blake Green, 8. Agnatius Paasi, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Isaiah Papali'i, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Adam Blair.
Interchange (from): 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Lachlan Burr, 17. Ligi Sao, 18. Gerard Beale, 20. Leivaha Pulu, 21. Adam Keighran, 22. Blake Ayshford.
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