NZ Warriors halves Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita may not be long for the Auckland NRL club, as they face challenges from an influx of young talent in their positions.
If you believe the NRL rumour mill, Nikorima has already signed with South Sydney Rabbitohs, while Harris-Tavita appears in no hurry to commit to the Warriors, despite an offer on the table.
With former North Queensland Cowboys rookie Daejarn Asi joining the squad last week, and Manly veteran Dylan Walker, Roosters phenom Ronald Volkman and Cronulla youngster Luke Metcalf all headed to Mt Smart Stadium next year, the Warriors already seem to have moved on from the troubled duo that have been regular fixtures for the past four season.
Since their respective debuts at the club in 2019, Harris-Tavita has logged 38 games and Nikorima 58, after previously making 86 appearances for Brisbane Broncos. Neither are in the line-up to face Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.
Coach Nathan Brown insists Harris-Tavita, 23, is still part of his future plans - but at what cost and in what position?
"We've made Chanel a good offer, but they're choosing to look around," he said. "Players have certainly got to look at their options.
"We've made it clear to Chanel and his manager we want him to stay. The signing of a couple of other young blokes doesn't impact on where we see Chanel.
"I suppose it will be where Chanel sees himself at the end of the day. We'd certainly like to keep him around, if that's possible."
Harris-Tavita is currently nursing a ruptured testicle back to full recovery and Brown expects him to miss a few more weeks yet.
Nikorima, 28, has already expressed his reluctance to move to Auckland, when the Warriors return from their COVID-19 exile across the Tasman next season. Aussie media report he has already inked with the Rabbitohs - his Wikipedia page has already made that adjustment - while Brown is taking a neither-confirm-nor-deny stance on that news.
"I probably can't shed too much light on it at this stage," he said. "I know he's certainly having a look around at the moment, and I can't guarantee that he'll be with us next week or he won't be with us next week."
After coming off the bench in recent outings, Nikorima has missed two games with positive COVID tests, but Brown admitted the uncertainty over his immediate future was also a factor in his continued absence this week.
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