Harris’ welcome return
After a false start three weeks ago, Tohu Harris is confident of hitting the ground running against the Panthers and his return is just what the doctor ordered for the Warriors.
Having spent almost two months on the sidelines, the talented back-rower has been named on the bench for tomorrow night’s crucial encounter at Mt Smart and could yet be a late addition to the starting side.
It’s been a frustrating period for Harris, who suffered the rare occurrence of having the same injury strike both knees directly after the other.
After undergoing minor surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee following the round-16 loss to the Sharks, Harris was preparing to make his comeback against the Dragons earlier this month before the right joint gave way in training.
Both happened rather innocuously while Harris was walking. But he has pulled up well after the last few training sessions and is ready to put the setbacks behind him.
‘‘Both were the same thing, just walking and they just went on me. It was a bit strange,’’ Harris said. ‘‘There’s nothing I could do about it. I just had to make sure I get it right before I come back.
‘‘I just have to make sure my legs are as strong and stable as possible, have it as part of my weekly routine and get on with it.’’
That will be music to ears of Warriors fans with Harris shaping as a key component in the club’s bid to lock up a finals spot over the next two weeks.
Prior to the injuries, the former Melbourne forward had been a rock on the Warriors’ right edge.
He is one the most well-rounded backrowers in the NRL, with his size and strength well complemented by his subtle ball-playing ability. He also adds plenty of steel on defence, which will be essential against a Panthers side that carved up the Warriors 36-4 last month.
With centre Gerard Beale in doubt due to a hamstring injury, Harris is poised to resume his right-side combination with Shaun Johnson and Peta Hiku that proved so lethal earlier in the season.
The speed of the game will determine how many minutes he plays tomorrow, but Kearney believes the best judge of that will be Harris himself.
‘‘He’s a very composed individual, highly skilled and capable,’’ the coach said. ‘‘What I know about Tohu is he’s a pretty experienced campaigner, he’s very efficient with his energy. If you see him walking around he’s not expending a great deal and he’s a bit like that on the footy field.’’
After slipping up last week against the Bulldogs, the Warriors need to win one of their final two regular season games to guarantee a playoff berth. Otherwise, they will be relying on points differential or the ninth-placed Wests Tigers losing to either Manly tonight, or South Sydney next week.
But it’s worrying about the end result, rather than focusing on performance, that Harris says will get them into trouble.
‘‘We can’t control results,’’ Harris added. ‘‘We can only control how we turn up and I think that’s been the most frustrating part – that we haven’t turned up with the right attitude and right effort at Week 24 Venue: Kickoff: Referees: TAB odds:
certain times.
‘‘Teams in this competition, if you give them an inch an they’ll tear you apart. So we just have to make sure that we crossing those T’s and working hard.’’