Warriors v Raiders: Captain Tohu Harris to miss rest of NRL season after wrist surgery
The Warriors have confirmed they will be without captain Tohu Harris for the remainder of the NRL season.
The 32-year-old was withdrawn from the round-19 encounter with the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium, with a wrist injury listed as the reason for his omission.
Harris has since had surgery to repair the recurring injury and will now be sidelined as the Warriors make a push for the NRL finals.
After playing the first 10 games of the campaign, Harris was given a four-week break after the clash against the Roosters on May 12 to treat the injury.
Prior to the heart-breaking golden-point loss against the Bulldogs, Harris had started just one of the past four matches, coming in for the record-equalling 66-6 defeat to the Gold Coast Titans in round 16.
In his 14 appearances this season, Harris averaged 132 metres and 37 tackles a game.
Harris joins Shaun Johnson (Achilles), Rocco Berry (shoulder), Luke Metcalf (leg), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Marcelo Montoya on the Warriors’ injury list, with just seven games left in the regular season.
Mitch Barnett has assumed the role of stand-in captain for the Warriors in his stead and has been a revelation this season, earning himself a place in New South Wales’ squad for their State of Origin decider against Queensland this week.
The Warriors travel to Canberra for a Friday night match against the Raiders this week (kickoff 10.00pm NZT).
Wednesday’s State of Origin will leave Barnett and Kurt Capewell, who will start for Queensland, a quick turnaround to be ready for Friday.
Against the Bulldogs, Dylan Walker was called into the starting 13 and Bunty Afoa was added to the interchange bench.
NZ Warriors have suffered yet another crippling injury blow, with captain Tohu Harris dropping out of the line-up to face three-time defending champions Penrith Panthers.
The veteran lock has been sidelined by a finger injury and replaced by Dylan Walker in the starting unit, with rookie Paul Roache joining the interchange.
Riding a four-game losing streak – the longest in coach Andrew Webster’s tenure – the Warriors have had to improvise with their team, as the line of walking wounded now extends out the door.
Star halfback Shaun Johnson is out for three weeks with a shoulder injury suffered last week against Sydney Roosters, while centres Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Rocco Berry, hooker Freddy Lussick and second-rower Marata Niukore all unavailable against the Panthers.
With Johnson, Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita all missing from the halves, Webster has had to shift fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad into the No.6 jersey for the first time.
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