Bulldog spirit inspires Warriors

Skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has praised utility Jazz Tevaga as the Warriors’ ‘‘bulldog’’ after the stand-in hooker’s standout performance in the stirring victory against Manly.

Tevaga scored the matchclinching try to cap a strong game at hooker in the 24-16 win at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night.

The 23-year-old – voted last year’s Dally M interchange period of the year – is on the brink of a regular start, according to an admiring Tuivasa-Sheck.

‘‘Jazz is one of those Bulldogs you just chuck in any position,’’ Tuivasa-Sheck told NRL.com.

‘‘He gets the job done in that channel, he’s just growing each game and we keep backing him.’’

Tuivasa-Sheck said Tevaga – who prefers to play as a loose forward – was ‘‘going to be starting throughout his career real soon’’.

But the bulldog could be back on the leash next week – restored to his usual, effective interchange forward role.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has not ruled out another change at hooker next Sunday when the Warriors face the Roosters in Sydney.

Kiwis half Kodi Nikorima is set to return from an ankle injury to increase the Warriors’ playmaker options. Nikorima hasn’t started a NRL game at hooker, but has filled in there at times.

Giving him the dummy half duties would allow Kearney to keep Friday’s man of the match – two-try 20-year-old Chanel HarrisTavita in the halves alongside veteran Blake Green.

Kearney was giving nothing away when asked his intentions.

‘‘We’ll assess that once it comes around . . . anything’s a