Chanel Harris-Tavita returns, Jazz Tevaga starting prop for Vodafone Warriors

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 24 May 2022, 03:01 PM

Chanel Harris-Tavita is reunited in the halves with Shaun Johnson and 100-game man Jazz Tevaga will start at prop when the Vodafone Warriors face the Newcastle Knights in Saturday’s Indigenous Round clash at Moreton Daily Stadium (3.00pm kick-off local time; 5.00pm NZT).

The 23-year-old Harris-Tavita has been out for a month since having a testicle ruptured in a friendly fire incident in the Anzac Day loss to Melbourne.

Close to returning last week against St George Illawarra, he has now been cleared to rejoin Johnson in the halves for just the fifth time this season.

They were paired together in the home wins over Brisbane and North Queensland followed by the away defeats by the Sydney Roosters and the Storm.

A new-look starting front row has been selected in the wake of the Vodafone Warriors losing both of their first-choice props Addin Fonua-Blake and Matt Lodge; Fonua-Blake has a foot injury which could keep him out long-term while Lodge was released last Friday.

Round 12 - Round 12 - Saturday 28 May

Full Time

Warriors

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey

Centre for Knights is number 4 Enari Tuala
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Freddy Lussick

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jazz Tevaga

Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Jack Murchie

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell Barnett

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Taniela Otukolo

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Aaron Pene

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Dunamis Lui

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 17 Eliesa Katoa

Replacement for Knights is number 16 Leo Thompson

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Nick Morel
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 3/4/2024 11:32:45 PM

After bringing up his 100th appearance for the club last Saturday, the ever-reliable Tevaga has been called on as a starting prop along with Ben Murdoch-Masila while recent signing Freddy Lussick is named at hooker after his solid interchange outings against the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Dragons.

Former Queensland Origin prop Lui is included on the extended bench after being signed just yesterday for the rest of the season.

Captaining feeder club Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup, the 32-year-old brings extensive experience to the Vodafone Warriors after a total of 169 appearances for Brisbane, Manly Warringah, St George Illawarra and Canberra. He was in the losing Raiders side in the 2019 grand final against the Roosters.

While Harris-Tavita and Arthars make their comebacks, hooker Wayde Egan (calf) and back rowers Josh Curran (knee) and Bayley Sironen (osteitis pubis) remain on the injury list ahead of anticipated returns next week.

The Vodafone Warriors and Newcastle are equally desperate for success this week.

Since winning three matches on end, the Vodafone Warriors have had just one victory in their last seven matches while the Knights have only one win in their last nine games.