NRL: NZ Warriors turn to fullback Chranze Nicoll-Klokstad as injuries strike deep into half options against Penrith Panthers

Only a couple of months ago, NZ Warriors seemed to have more halves that they knew what to do with.

When they welcomed Chanel Harris-Tavita back from his yearlong sabbatical, they insisted he was a utility, not just a half, where he had played most of his previous appearances with the club from 2019-22.

With veteran Shaun Johnson anchoring the team, and proteges Ronald Volkman, Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin already committed for the season, the club seemed to have plenty of depth at the positions, so when they released Volkman to St George Dragons, no-one really blinked.

On Sunday, with Johnson, Metcalf and Martin all sidelined, coach Andrew Webster will be forced to shift fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad into the No.6 jersey against three-time defending champions Penrith Panthers. 

"No, he didn't expect it, but he went, 'Let's go'," said Webster. "You've got to be here everyday, it's his favourite... when he gets excited about something, that's what he says.

"He's pretty pumped. I'm sure he'd rather play fullback, but he does what the team needs.

"It's something different and he trained well today, so he's excited."

Another 

Only a couple of months ago, NZ Warriors seemed to have more halves that they knew what to do with.

When they welcomed Chanel Harris-Tavita back from his yearlong sabbatical, they insisted he was a utility, not just a half, where he had played most of his previous appearances with the club from 2019-22.

With veteran Shaun Johnson anchoring the team, and proteges Ronald Volkman, Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin already committed for the season, the club seemed to have plenty of depth at the positions, so when they released Volkman to St George Dragons, no-one really blinked.

On Sunday, with Johnson, Metcalf and Martin all sidelined, coach Andrew Webster will be forced to shift fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad into the No.6 jersey against three-time defending champions Penrith Panthers. 

"No, he didn't expect it, but he went, 'Let's go'," said Webster. "You've got to be here everyday, it's his favourite... when he gets excited about something, that's what he says.

"He's pretty pumped. I'm sure he'd rather play fullback, but he does what the team needs.

"It's something different and he trained well today, so he's excited."

Another 

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