3 minute read
Interim Warriors coach Todd Payten says Paul Turner is ready to take his chance in the NRL after Chanel Tevita-Harris was a late scratching to face Canterbury.
Interim Warriors coach Todd Payten is confident rookie half Paul Turner will be ready if thrust into his NRL debut against Canterbury on Sunday.
Chanel Tevita-Harris has been omitted from the team to face the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium after failing to overcome the effects of a head clash in training with Adam Keighran earlier in the week.
The Warriors named Tohu Harris at halfback on Saturday in Tevita-Harris's absence but have retained 20-year-old Turner as one of their two reserves.
Payten said if Turner was thrust in to the starting line up he was confident the youngster was ready for first grade.
"He's trained really well since he's been in Australia, he's been in our system now for what, over a couple of years?," Payten told reporters.
"He's a quiet kid by nature but when he gets out on the park he moves really well.
"I wouldn't be adverse to throwing him in there. I think he's bided his time."
The move for Harris to the halves means Jack Murchie has been elevated to the back row with Josh Curran on the bench.
Winger Patrick Herbert was another training injury during the week after tearing a hamstring and is likely to be sidelined for at least three weeks.
Adam Pompey moves out of the centres to take Herbert's spot on right wing while Hayze Perham comes into the backline for just his second appearance this season and the fourth of his career.
There was also a shuffle in the forwards with Isaiah Papali'i replacing suspended Eliesa Katoa in the second row.
The Bulldogs will again be hoping to leapfrog Brisbane off the competition basement with a win.
Fullback Will Hopoate will return from injury for Steve Georgallis's team with Nick Meaney shifting to wing and Marcelo Montoya out.
Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King, prop Aiden Tolman and round 14 debutant Matt Doorey all come into the starting side with Sione Katoa and Luke Thompson to the bench, Josh Jackson at lock and Dylan Napa suspended.
Chris Smith and Lachlan Lewis have been omitted from the reserves.
KEY MATCH STATS
* Canterbury are looking to avoid having two wins or less after 15 matches for just the third time in club history (1935, 1964).
* The Warriors have won just one of their past seven matches at ANZ Stadium and seven of 21 overall at the ground.
* Former Warriors half Kieran Foran leads the Bulldogs with 10 try assists, more than double of his next teammates in Lachlan Lewis (4) and Jeremy Marshall-King (4).
