Player Chanel Harris-Tavita

[Christchurch_Warrior]

For him to attain career best wouldn't hard tbf.
Career wise , not potential wise

Fair call but he has only played 54 FG games and had 4 coaches in that time. I do not believe he will ever be a Cronk or SJ but with a better coaching structure and a more stable club who knows.

 

[BabylonPink]

Fair call but he has only played 54 FG games and had 4 coaches in that time. I do not believe he will ever be a Cronk or SJ but with a better coaching structure and a more stable club who knows.

What I'm saying is I think career best is highly attainable given his 54 games for us haven't been amazing , I think he is a good player, like pompey and dwz , career best last year, playing under Webby gets results , so players go better

 

[Fonzie]

I think he’s a Walker

 

[Tonbridge(aka Swanley)]

I think he’s a Walker

or a Sironen.

He played hooker for Samoa at the World Cup and looked good.

 

[ndp26]

More Walker than Sironen though, as CHT could cover any of 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 or 13 if required and wouldn't look out of place, similar to Walker. Whereas Sironen was more a 9, 11, 12, 13 cover - which you'd get out of Jazz if you had CHT on the bench covering 9 (with Jazz to play middle and Barnett/Tohu to be 2nd row cover if required).

The below is of course if they aren't pushing CHT into the halves. I'd have thought they are more inclined to focus on Metcalf and TMM there. Alternatively, they could be moulding CHT into the 7 to take over SJ (and partner Metcalf/TMM) as insurance if Volkman doesn't kick on - but I like CHT in the Mr Fix-it role given we already have four NRL quality halves.

Given our second rowers can generally play 80 (and half our prop candidates are formed second rowers - a la, Barnett, Niukore, Sifakula and to some extent Ale), I think we can play both Walker and Jazz on the bench with CHT. Our squad is quite versatile, with a number of the team being able to play multiple positions (some more capably than others). A bench of CHT, Jazz, Walker and a prop (e.g., Barnett/Ale/Bunty) seems better balanced than some of our ones with Curran from this season (where he played low minutes a lot) - with the only downside being that it is quite a small bench. However, we all know we're a big bopper short and Webby plays a mobile pack.

I'd consider starting CHT at 9 for the first 20 and then Egan comes on for the rest of the game (with CHT then being injury cover). Depending on how the game is going / the opposition, Webby brings on Walker and either Jazz or the prop after 15-25 mins, and then Tohu gets a break either side of half-time courtesy of the bench prop / Jazz. Backline injuries are covered by CHT (or TMM), with our centres pushing to wing if a winger is injured - and then this frees up Metcalf to play 6, and bring some speed and support play to our line up (I would have said TMM will get the first crack at the 6 jumper, but it sounds like his leg might not be quite right, and if Metcalf he commits to us, it'll be on the back of his hammy recovering well and him getting promised a proper crack at 6).

Good problems to have!

 

[snake77]

It is hard to asses CHT's previous stint here and then where he'd fit in.

He got pushed into a position he wasn't ready for when Johnson left. Nokorima although experienced wasn't a lot of help to CHT in terms of getting the team around the field. Add to that the club wasn't stable during his last stint here with changing coaches and being stuck in Australia. The balance of the squad could also have been better.

Overall I'm probably higher on the other half options in terms of partnering Johnson. Replacing Johnson long term I'd have him higher in the debate.

Compared to the other options to partner Johnson I'd be more comfortable with his defence and he probably provides the best secondary kicking option, especially for field position.

As a half he could look a lot better now under Webster as there was reports or comments this year from players who have played under Webster saying how he likes to get structure around his halves and works with them a lot. CHT's last stint his main issue for me was his ball playing. We would struggle for points. The structures around him and the extra focus from the coach could fix this issue.

His goal kicking will be great to have available.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I think he’s a Walker

I agree 100%. He spells Egan at half. Shores up the middle D, can ball play, can kick. We desperately need another 40/20 threat and CHT gives us that at DH.

While I death rode CHT at half when he played, I was always a fan of him at 9. His ability to hit and stick is invaluable around the ruck.

 

[Worried2Death]

I think he’s a Walker

Do you think he's injury backup for actual Walker?

 

[mt.wellington]

Saw CHT today and he isnt looking huge. Great build for a half to take the line on a bit more effectively...

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Saw CHT today and he isnt looking huge. Great build for a half to take the line on a bit more effectively...

You mean he IS looking huge?

 

[BabylonPink]

 

[Canonball]

You mean he IS looking huge?

this guy is going to be the surprise great recruitment eh? I love the way he plays the game, he's team first and clearly now committed - big fan already, will be bigger when he's flicking an offload to a rampaging second rower up the middle

 

[snake77]

Can see where he is coming from in terms of having pre seasons since he was 17 and feeling refreshed after some time off.

The covid years would have been worn on a lot of guys. Along with the changing coaches.

He's walking into a new club now under different management, different coach and more importantly a pretty successful year.

He has things he needs to work on if he plays in the halves. But I can see Webster being keen to get on the field with him. More importantly CHT seems like the type to put the work in.

 

[Inruin]

6 or 14?

I was thinking utility bench player covering Egan, but the more I think about it, the more I think he would be a really good option at 6

 

[BabylonPink]

6 or 14?

I was thinking utility bench player covering Egan, but the more I think about it, the more I think he would be a really good option at 6

Its hard to know.
Sironen played more 9 than walker or jazz and Lussick only started a few matches.
Would you carry CHT at 14? He can't really come on in the forwards like Sironen...
He could be a reserve back , but it's a bit of a wasted bench spot.
Do you carry lussick and cht? Probably not.

 

[Drake_83]

Its hard to know.
Sironen played more 9 than walker or jazz and Lussick only started a few matches.
Would you carry CHT at 14? He can't really come on in the forwards like Sironen...
He could be a reserve back , but it's a bit of a wasted bench spot.
Do you carry lussick and cht? Probably not.

Glad that's not our problem best man for the jobs I say. Will have to wait and see the trials.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

6 or 14?

I was thinking utility bench player covering Egan, but the more I think about it, the more I think he would be a really good option at 6

I think he will end up the long term replacement for SJ at 7.

He has been groomed for it in the past. His signing was when the club appeared to go cold on Volkman. Kiwi, clubman, experienced, tough and just needing decent coaching.

A year under Webster learning his systems while playing 14 and I see him taking over in 2025.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I feel that I was one of Chanel's harshest critics last time he was here.

I can't help but feel this time around he's going to be really really vital to the team. He'd n a better head space, with a team performing better, with a coach who knows how to get the best out of him.

I'm thinking we'll employ a double 14 role off the bench, where both he and Walker offer an uptempo change of pace around the 25 minutes mark, but both offer different skill sets

 

[Billyspleen75]

He will take the hooker minutes that Sironen had and cover the halves and backline.
I think he can easily cover the middle too.
He is/was the same size as Cam Murray and Cameron McInnes and is bigger than Connor Watson

 

[Lets Eat (YeahNah)]

I feel ratshit for saying this but I think it’s time for Jazz to go to SL, with CHT onboard the bench is in dire need of some beef.

Sport is a business and no man is bigger than the club