Warriors trial three rookies to replace star halfback Shaun Johnson

Coach Stephen Kearney says the Warriors won’t use the salary cap space opened up by Shaun Johnson’s departure to import a new No.7. Instead, the club is running a three-man trial for the role.

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The Warriors won’t look outside their walls for Shaun Johnson’s replacement, with an extended trial to find a rookie halfback already well under way.

Coach Stephen Kearney said the salary cap space opened up by star playmaker Johnson’s departure for the Sharks won’t be used to import a new No.7.

Instead, the club is running a three-man trial for the role through the course of the off-season and are unlikely to make a decisive call on Blake Green’s halves partner until a week out from the opening round.

Hayze Perham is one of three potential No.7 replacements for the Warriros despite never having played an NRL match before. Picture by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Warriors and Kiwis junior Chanel Harris-Tavita, 19, is believed to have his foot in the door for the starting role although like his rivals - Hayze Perham, 19, and Adam Keighran, 21 - hasn’t played a first grade match.

“All three young men obviously sense there’s an opportunity and we’ve been putting them in as Greenies’ other half different each week,” Kearney said.

“So they’re getting a run with Green. The three of them are tracking along nicely. At this stage we’re happy with the guys we’ve got.”

Chanel Harris-Tavita (right) is the rookie with his foot in the door for the Warriors halves position, with healthy compeition from Hayze Perham (left). Picture by: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

Assistant coach Stacey Jones, the former Warriors halfback great, is working closely with the trio.

Each has spent time running in a shadow starting team but Kearney said he’s unlikely to narrow down his favoured contender until the completion of trial games against the Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers.

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“I couldn’t say at this stage, it changes from session to session,” he said.

“In terms of a final decision we won’t do that until we have to.”

The Tigers trial game in Whangarei on March 2 falls two weeks out from their opening match against the Bulldogs.

Originally published as Warriors trial three rookies to replace star halfback Shaun Johnson