Harris-Tavita fails to make 23 for Wahs opener
The Warriors have named their first team list for the 2024 NRL season and there are a couple of surprises for round one.
The returning Chanel Harris-Tavita is not in the 23, with Freddy Lussick preferred in the 14 jersey off the bench.
Marata Niukore is out with a foot injury and misses the round-one match against the Cronulla Sharks. He fractured his foot in the final preseason match against the Dolphins.
All eyes will be on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who will line up in the centres after impressing in his pre-season outings on his return to the 13-man game.
Luke Metcalf has fought off competition from Te Maire Martin and Harris-Tavita and will start alongside Shaun Johnson in the halves.
Young fullback Taine Tuaupiki will start at fullback after overcoming an injury that saw him leave the field during the Warriors’ final pre-season hit-out.
Tuaupiki remains the preferred back-up option for the injured Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad, who Warriors coach Andrew Webster has said may miss the first three weeks of the season.
Another notable inclusion is new signing Kurt Capewell. The former Brisbane Bronco was another who impressed in pre-season and fans will be curious to see how he performs in a full first-grade match in front of what is likely to be a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium.
The interchange bench features hooker Lussick, middle forwards Tom Ale and Bunty Afoa, and utility Dylan Walker.
The Warriors beat the Sharks home and away last season, winning 32- 30 in Sydney in a comeback rated one of the club’s greatest and 44-12 at Mt Smart but Cronulla hold a 28-20 edge in their encounters since 1995.