NZ Warriors' re-signing of Chanel Harris-Tavita is not an indication over the future of halfback Shaun Johnson potentially leaving the club, coach Andrew Webster assures.
On Monday, the Warriors confirmed the return of 24-year-old Harris-Tavita, signing a two-year deal after leaving the club at the end of 2022 for a year away from rugby league.
But Harris-Tavita's re-arrival in 2024 leaves a possible cloud for the Warriors in the halves, with a looming logjam of options for Webster to pick from.
However, Harris-Tavita's return comes with the future of Johnson uncertain. Amid arguably his best season as a player, Johnson remains unsigned to any club for next year.
Webster has always maintained he wants Johnson to stay at the Warriors, and the 32-year-old's rejection of a reported two-year deal from Wests Tigers is evidence of those feelings being reciprocal.
And for Webster, Harris-Tavita's return plays no bearing over Johnson's place at the club.
"It's a good question," said Webster. "The way Shaun and I have kept this dialogue, we're just going to keep working it out as we go.
"If Shaun's playing well and he wants to keep going, we'll work that out later.
"If he's doing the business, there's always a spot here for Shaun. But right now, we've got to have a plan, and Chanel's part of that plan.
"The dialogue between Shaun and I is ongoing, and the way we work together is [through] open, honest feedback.
"When we know that, we'll let everyone know."
In more than 50 games for the Warriors, Harris-Tavita has shown his versatility on more than one occasion.
Primarily used as half - both at halfback and five-eighth - Harris-Tavita has also covered at fullback, and as a dummy-half option off the bench.
As far as halves go, the Warriors will have Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin, Luke Metcalf and Ronald Volkman to pick from, with Johnson's name potentially to also be added.
That depth, Webster says, will be key for the Warriors' aspirations in 2024.
"One thing we've learned this year [is] you've got to have depth. Particularly in the halves, it's such an important position and Chanel offers us that.
"Chanel could play fullback, lock, he could play hooker - just about anything, but he is a half.
"We just feel like he's going to add great depth for us. He's also a left-foot kicking [option] on that side of the field. That adds a different dimension to our team.
"One thing we've learned is you've got to have depth in key positions. He's going to be great for us."
Webster also took time to assure the signing of Harris-Tavita - or any other incoming recruits - is not a message to the club's current roster.
"We're not recruiting over the top of people, saying they're not good enough, we don't want you here so we're going to get someone else.
"We're recruiting to add depth and quality. We've got to have good people at our club, and [Harris-Tavita] certainly fits that. We've got to have competitive people and he certainly fits that.
"People can get excited about him coming back, but we've got complete belief in what we've got here as well."
