Interim NZ Warriors coach Todd Payten admits he would have no problems handing Paul Turner his NRL debut should Chanel Harris-Tavita get ruled out of Sunday's clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Payten says Harris-Tavita is"50-50" to play after he was involved in a nasty head clash with Adam Keighran during training earlier in the week.
Harris-Tavita needs to pass his head injury assessment (HIA), but if he is ruled out, Payten could switch the likes of Tohu Harris, Peta Hiku or Hayze Perham into the halves, but he could also summon rookie Turner, 20, into the starting side.
Whangarei-born Turner would be the 31st player the Warriors would have used this year if he is named to play.
"He's trained really well since we've been in Australia," says Payten.
"He's been in the system now for over a couple of years. He's a quiet kid by nature, but when he gets out on the park he moves really well, I wouldn't be averse to throwing him in there.
"I think he's bided his time, he's played really well in parts of the reserve grade competition.
"If he gets a shot, if we lean that way, then I'm sure he can do the job."
But Payten said Harris-Tavita would be given every chance to play after a day of "carnage" at training.
Along with Harris-Tavita's head injury, Keighran also sustained a broken nose in the clash which will get fixed later in the week.
The injury was a cruel blow for Keighran who was in line to feature for the first time since March after overcoming a knee injury.
In the same session, outside back Patrick Herbert tore his hamstring and is expected to miss the next three games.
"We're still unsure how we're going to line up, with the carnage that happened on Tuesday," admitted Payten.
"We've named a squad, Chanel is yet to pass a HIA, we've trained today as if he wasn't playing.
"We'll give Chanel every opportunity to get passed the HIA, but he has to tick every box perfectly, between now and Saturday.
"There's a protocol, he's returning to run tomorrow, he'll do some contact on Friday and we'll see how he pulls up from that on Saturday.
"Fingers crossed for the kid, he's been really good for us, but if he's not, we'll just move on, like we have in the past and just get on with it."
The latest injuries leave the Warriors with 22 fit players, including Albert Hopoate, who joined the team on loan earlier this week.
Prop Jack Hetherington is returning to the Penrith Panthers later this week and Payten is hopeful he can return after completing his four-week suspension.
Payten is also unsure if Parramatta Eels loan duo George Jennings and Daniel Alvaro will remain with the team with their month-long deals coming to end after the Bulldogs clash.
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