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Warriors focus on executing complete team performances to help young halves

April 11, 2019

Stephen Kearney praised the 20-year-old's showing against the Titans.

Stephen Kearney says improved team performances will be the biggest factor in helping the Warriors' situation in the halves this season.

The Warriors have opted to use youngster Chanel Harris-Tavita at No.6 again this weekend against the Rabbitohs after getting a win in his NRL debut against the Titans last week.

The Warriors have been looking for a permanent half to partner Green this year after they released star Shaun Johnson in the offseason.

Kearney told Stuff Harris-Tavita did his job "pretty well" last week but there's more challenges ahead.

"The focus is really locking in and Chanel executing his job, same as I expect everyone else to execute their jobs. "

Adam Keighran also tasted victory in his debut in round one this season before two heavy back-to-back losses brought him back to earth.

Kearney says Keighran was an unfortunate part of poor team performances in the losses to the West Tigers and Sea Eagles - an effort he says needs to be stamped out to help whichever young half is pairing with Blake Green.

"Greeny can't operate without the forwards doing their job, and the forwards can't operate without the back five doing their job, so it's just about making sure we focus on doing what we do well as a unit and Chanel is part of that."

Both halves experienced their first wins at home but now Harris-Tavita will be given the challenge of playing against an in-form Rabbitohs outfit away. Keighran's two losses were both away before Harris-Tavita was given the No.6 jersey at Mt Smart Stadium.

The Warriors face the Rabbitohs at 5pm NZT on Saturday at Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland.

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