Five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita will spend at least another year with NZ Warriors, after signing a contract extension through the 2027 season.
By Grant Chapman of RNZ
Harris-Tavita, 27, is on the last season of his current deal and has been exploring his future on the open market, reportedly limiting his availability to just one year.
Since debuting with the Warriors in 2019, he has brought up 102 appearances, celebrating his century against the Dolphins in Wellington this month.
Harris-Tavita became a fan favourite after rupturing a testicle in action during the 2022 season, and stepped away from rugby league the following year to travel the world, returning in 2024.
He played all but one game during the 2025 season – scoring eight tries in 24 games – and has proved his value to the team during the current campaign, scoring a try double in the season-opening win over Sydney Roosters.
He missed a game with concussion and was then dropped for two more – the Warriors' only two defeats this season – to accommodate Luke Metcalf's return from injury.
Harris-Tavita was restored to the starting line-up for the historic win over Melbourne Storm and has become a fixture during the subsequent five-game streak, especially with his defensive abilities.
"There's so much to like about the way Chanel goes about his game," said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "He's so consistent and, this season, he has been in career-best form.
"Quite apart from his playing role, he brings so much energy to the team through his defence and the way he competes.
"He has been awesome this year and we were very keen for him to stay here."
In recent weeks, the Warriors have been occupied trying to untangle the logjam in the half positions, with Webster sticking with Tanah Boyd in the No.7 jersey, while trying Metcalf outside him.
Metcalf's decision to seek a future elsewhere has probably helped the club retain Harris-Tavita, while the Warriors are reportedly close to extending Boyd and veteran Te Maire Martin past this season.
After Boyd's season-ending knee injury last weekend, Harris-Tavita must now form a combination with a different halves partner. Martin will fill the starting halfback role against St George-Illawarra Dragons on Saturday, but Metcalf may yet return to his preferred position this season.
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