Charnze misses, Chanel special for Warriors vs Dolphins
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Chanel Harris-Tavita has been confirmed for his 100th NZ Warriors appearance, while Taine Tuaupiki will return to fullback against the Dolphins in Wellington in place of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad on Saturday.
Harris-Tavita, 27, made his club debut in 2019 against Gold Coast Titans, but ruptured a testicle in 2022 and took a hiatus from the game the following season, as he travelled the world.
LATEST HEADLINES:
He returned to the Warriors in 2024 and seems to have cemented ownership of the No.6 jersey with a series of outstanding performances this year, including a try double in the opening win against Sydney Roosters, a powerful defensive display against Melbourne Story and another key try against the Titans last weekend.
He becomes the 32nd player to log a century of games for the Auckland club, joining current teammates Adam Pompey (123), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (155) and Wayde Egan (128).
Coach Andrew Webster has made only one change to the line-up that started against Gold Coast, handing Tuaupiki the fullback jersey, with Nicoll-Klokstad aggravating a neck injury, suffered against Cronulla Sharks three weeks ago.
Egan was placed on report for a high tackle last week, but escaped with a fine and will start at hooker for the Anzac clash.
Tuivasa-Sheck retains his spot at centre, but incumbent Pompey returns to the reserves, after a two-game suspension, and may yet work his way into the playing squad. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who scored two tries against his old club last weekend, has been named on the wing.
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 4. Ali Leiataua, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Same Healey, 15. Mitchell Barnett, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Jacob Laban, 18. Marata Niukore, 20. Luke Hanson
Reserves: 21. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 22. Adam Pompey, 23. Makaia Tafua
