Coach hints at new Warriors halves for clash with Manly
RUGBY LEAGUE
MELBOURNE: Warriors coach Nathan Brown says he is still weighing up his halves combination for Sunday’s NRL clash with Manly, hinting that exciting youngster Reece Walsh may be due a rest.
The 18yearold has been named to partner Kodi Nikorima in what would be his third NRL start, and Chanel
HarrisTavita has been included on the extended bench after recovering from a foot injury which has sidelined him since round two.
Brown said he expected HarrisTavita to return to halfback provided he got through training this week but he was coy on who would be the other playmaker.
‘‘Chanel was our starting halfback at the start of the year so I expect him to be our starting halfback now if he’s fit and able,’’ Brown said yesterday.
‘‘We’ve just got them all training and we’ll make a decision before our main training on Friday.’’
The coach said he was mindful of Walsh’s young age and did not want to burn out the emerging star.
‘‘We certainly like having him on the field and there’s no doubt he’s brought some things to us that we lacked but we’ve got to be mindful of his age,’’ Brown said.
‘‘There’s going to be times when he will need to come off the bench or have a week off because he’s only an 18yearold kid,’’ the coach said.
Brown said David Fusitu’a’s hamstring injury was worse than first thought, keen to quash rumours of personal issues.
Fusitu’a has missed two games through injury and Brown said it was worse than first thought.
While the Warriors lured the likes of Walsh to the club, they have lost another young talent, after utility Paul Turner was granted an early release.
Playing three matches for the Warriors over two years, Turner is already out for the season with a shoulder injury.
Brown said they offered the 20yearold more money but he decided to take up another opportunity, reportedly playing with Gold Coast.
‘‘When you’ve got a local player and you’ve got plans for him, it’s disappointing to lose the player,’’ Brown said.
‘‘I know Pauly’s brother lives up on the Gold Coast, as well.
‘‘We would’ve liked him to stay but Pauly chose to take a different career path and you’ve got to respect that.’’ — AAP