Jett Cleary has been overlooked for his NRL debut in favour of a fellow Penrith junior, with the Warriors dealing with a number of injuries ahead of their NRL clash against the Newcastle Knights this weekend. Warriors coach Andrew Webster has been forced to deal with a number of changes heading into their Round 3 clash with Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad all ruled out after picking up injuries last week.
Harris-Tavita is a big blow for the Warriors against the Knights, with their halves stocks at a low. Luke Metcalf is already missing the first few weeks of the season as he recovers from an ACL injury he suffered last year.
Jett Cleary (pictured right) missed out on his NRL debut after being overlooked for Luke Hanson to play this weekend. (Images: Getty Images)
Te Maire Martin is also out until round 10 with a leg injury, which prompted suggestions Cleary could find his way into the starting side after his performance on the weekend in NSW Cup.
Cleary – Nathan’s younger brother – scored a brilliant solo try for the Warriors against the Raiders in the NSW Cup as he helped his side to an emphatic 40-6 win at home. The halfback has shown plenty of talent as he builds his way through the ranks across the last two seasons and was seemingly in line for a call-up after Harris-Tavita copped a head knock.
And while he’s been named in the 22-player squad for this weekend’s NRL game, Webster has instead gone Luke Hanson in the No.6 jersey. Hanson helped lead the Warriors side to the NSW Cup title last season and has scored 12 tries in 29 games. A Penrith Panthers junior like Cleary, Hanson has been in great form and will relish the opportunity in the NRL.
The five-eighth will slot right in for Harris-Tavita who has enjoyed a great start to the season. Warriors fans are brimming with confidence having started the season with two emphatic victories after hammering the Roosters 42-18 in Round 1, before turning it on in the second-half to defeat the Canberra Raiders 40-6. Jackson Ford will be looking to continue his excellent start to the season as he leads the Dally M points after two rounds.
Luke Metcalf set for early comeback
The Warriors did welcome the news Metcalf was back at training. Ahead of the game against the Raiders, coach Webster said the halfback was fully training with the team and could make his comeback earlier than first thought.
Metcalf was expected to return in round 10. But the 27-year-old is expected to make an earlier comeback to give the New Zealand-based club a massive boost. Harris-Tavita and Nicoll-Klokstad are both expected to return next week after sitting out the round due to concussion protocols.
Luke Metcalf (pictured) is set to return earlier than round 10 for the Warriors.
(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)