Chanel Harris-Tavita

'CHT' made major advances as an NRL player in 2020, ultimately establishing himself in the halves alongside Kiwi international Kodi Nikorima following Blake Green's departure from the club.

After making 13 appearances in his rookie campaign in 2019, Chanel doubled his career tally to 26 in 2020. He produced six try assists, forced eight goal-line drop outs and took on added responsibility with his kicking game. As well as being the team's top points scorer with 62 points, he snared a memorable try-scoring double against the Eels when he finished off two of the season's best tries.

A clever ball player, Chanel was named the club’s 2017 NYC player of the year. His grandfather Ray Harris represented New Zealand Maori and Auckland.

He made his NYC debut on his 17th birthday in 2016 and, after two seasons in the under-20 grade, was moved up to develop his game in the Intrust Super Premiership in 2018.

Chanel finished the 2018 season lining up for the Junior Kiwis when he dazzled with an outrageous scorpion kick which created a try for team-mate Isaiah Papali'i.

His development stepped up a level for 2019 when he trained full-time with the NRL side, resulting in him featuring in the club's trials against Melbourne and Wests Tigers.

Along with Adam Keighran, he was in a head-to-head contest to join Blake Green in the opening round of the season. Keighran won the nod initially but Harris-Tavita was called in for his debut as Vodafone Warrior #233 in the round five match against Gold Coast.

In a wonderful start to his first-grade career, he kicked five goals and played with real assurance.

He was used in the halves for five straight games, three of them as the “senior” play maker when Blake Green was out injured.

In June he made a try-scoring Test debut for Toa Samoa in its 24-6 win over Papua New Guinea.

Chanel returned to the NRL side in July, making another eight appearances, four from the bench and four in the halves. He ended the season with 13 NRL outings, scoring 56 points from two tries and 24 goals from 29 attempts (striking at 83 per cent). It resulted in him being named the club’s NRL rookie of the year.

In 2020, he built on his solid rookie year with another 13 appearances finishing the season as the side's established halfback after Green left the club early. He was the side's top points scorer with 62 including two unforgettable tries against Parramatta when he finished off some exceptional lead-up work. His goal kicking success rate sat at 81 per cent after two seasons.

Starting the 2021 season, CHT was locked in the halfback's job but his campaign was stalled after just two rounds when he was sidelined after having surgery on a foot injury. It kept him out until round nine.

Off the field, he also made an impression being selected in the 2019 NRL-RLPA Academic Team of the Year as he worked towards completing a Bachelor of Business at the Auckland University of Technology.