STEPHEN Kearney’s first act as Warriors coach is big — he’s snared Kiwi backrower Tohu Harris on a massive four-year deal.
The New Zealand representative will move across the ditch and play with the Warriors from 2018 after seeing out his contract at Melbourne Storm this year.
So what does this mean for the Warriors? And the Storm?
We’ve answered five burnStephen Foot
Tohu Harris. Credits: Image – Getty Images; Video – Newshub.
NZ Warriors will be without captain Tohu Harris for their final regular season clash against the Dolphins at Brisbane on Saturday.
Newshub understands Harris sustained a back issue in a tackle during Friday’s win over St George Dragons, which has gradually worsened over the past two days.
Sources indicate the injury isn’t considered long term, with the club expecting he should recover in time for their opening match of the NRL playoffs in two weeks.
The second-rower has been one of the Warrior’s outstanding players through their resurgent 2023 campaign, posting consistently gaudy numbers on both sides of the ball on a weekly basis.
Losing such a talisman for their long-awaited return to the finals would be a brutal blow to the Warriors’ chances, and all fingers at Mt Smart and across the country’s fervent fanbase will undoubtedly be crossed he’s able to make a speedy comeback.
The issue compounds the 31-year-old’s injury concerns. He’s nursed a troublesome knee throughout the season, which sidelined him for a trio of games earlier in the year.
Pending other results, the Warriors are a lock to finish in either third or fourth place, meaning a date against either defending champions Penrith Panthers or minor premiership favourites Brisbane Broncos.
Last week, coach Andrew Webster insisted he’d given no thought to resting players for this weekend’s match in Brisbane.
