Recent reports have emerged that New Zealand Warriors halfback Chanel Harris-Tevita will leave the Warriors once his contract is up at the end of the 2022 NRL season.

This is likely due to the congestion that the Warriors now have in their halves, with Sean O’Sullivan, Kodi Nikorima and Shaun Johnson at the club next year, and Joseph Manu linked with the Warriors for 2023 as a five-eighth.

It seems one team, in particular, has caught wind of this and has tried to make a move for Harris-Tevita unsuccessfully, as Stuff NZ have reported that the Canberra Raiders approached the Warriors and offered to take the 22-year-old off their hands for next season, but to no avail, as the Warriors have rejected Canberra’s proposal.

Many halves that are off contract or soon to be off-contract have been linked with a move to the Raiders lately as they seek a replacement for George Williams who left the nation’s capital during the 2021 NRL season to move back to England and sign with Warrington.

The Warriors are already loaded up with halves and are going in hard for Joseph Manu, but are also looking at other options for 2022 and 2023 if they can’t sign the Roosters centre, with Warriors Chief Executive Officer Cameron George confirming via Stuff that the club has held talks with now free agent Ash Taylor.

“We met with Ash. We’re here on the Gold Coast and he’s here and is looking for options for next year and we’re looking for options as well to build our depth,” George said.

Brent Read from The Australian has also reported via Triple M that the Warriors are looking at Cronulla’s Luke Metcalf as an option also.

“I think the Warriors would consider letting him go because they are looking to sign Luke Metcalf from Cronulla,” Read said.

“Cronulla is digging in their heels so unless the Warriors get someone to replace Chanel they probably won’t let him go.”

As things stand, Chanel Harris-Tevita will remain a New Zealand Warrior for the 2022 NRL season, with the club unlikely to release him unless they secure the services of another half in return.