Warriors boss says club will prioritise development player as Harris' replacement

Stephen Foote • January 10th, 2025 10:30 am

Photo: Photosport

The NZ Warriors will begin their search to replace captain Tohu Harris' roster spot from within, says chief executive Cam George.

On Thursday, Harris rocked the rugby league world with the shock announcement of his decision to retire due to ongoing issues with his injured wrist, bringing the curtain down on a decorated 12-year NRL career and leaving a sizeable void in the Warriors roster less than two months out from the start of the new season.

While Harris' departure will take a significant chunk of the Warriors cap off the books, the timing of decision will likely make it difficult for the club to recruit a marquee player for their upcoming campaign who occupies the same salary tier as the 243-game veteran, who was renowned as one of the most tireless forwards in the competition.

Speaking to Sport Nation's Summer Run Home, George said the situation provides the ideal opportunity to lean on their burgeoning pathways programme to unearth another gem from their stock of promising youth.

Last season, the likes of Leka Halasima and Zyon Maiu'u proved the value of promoting from inside the club's ranks, and George believes there are more such examples waiting to be unearthed at Mt Smart.

"We've got an exciting bunch of young kids coming through," McFadden noted.

"We invest a lot of money in pathways and development and the likes, and I've said to Andrew McFadden and (coach) Andrew Webster that we've got to start promoting from within and really letting our kids grow within the system.

Leka Halasima, NZ Warriors, NRL Debut - Photosport

Leka Halasima was a revelation for the Warriors in 2024 I Photo: Photosport

"You saw last year a number of our young players come through the system and Tohu departing probably gives some of those kids their best chance now to really show they've got.

"I'm really excited about that and I want to encourage that sort of thought process with our recruitment."

George insisted the team wouldn't be hurried into finding an instant fix, content to bide their time and allow general manager of recruitment, development and pathways Andrew McFadden to cast his net and lock in the final two pieces of their squad.

He adds the club is still working through the implications of Harris' exit on their salary cap and need a chance to reassess the free agent player market.

"We're not in a hurry. We've got a really good top 30. We have one spot. Now we've obviously got two

"I don't know who's out there. We haven't been looking really, so I'll let (McFadden) come back from holidays and start looking at all that and how it fits into our roster."

All that said, George admits you can never genuinely replace a talisman like Harris.

Since making the switch from the Melbourne Storm fresh off an NRL Premiership in 2017 , the Hawke's Bay product has been the team's leader both on and off the field.

Through his 117-game tenure, he was named back-to-back winner of the Warriors' player of the year award in 2020 and 2021 and was shortlisted for the 2023 Dally M lock of the year and captain of the year awards.

"He's demonstrated the character throughout his whole career of a very humble man that just works hard on the field all the time," George recounted.

"If you ask any of his teammates about his attributes and what he brings to the game, and I think only those who play with him fully appreciate it. He's not the flashiest player, but they appreciate what he does.

"He's just been an outstanding person, player and leader.

"Loyal to the club, loyal to his teammates."

The Warriors open their NRL season in Las Vegas against the Canberra Raiders on March 2.

Listen to the full interview below: