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Chanel Harris-Tavita\u2019s feet started to itch for the NRL again with coconut in hand on a Samoan farm.<\/p>\n
One last jaunt with the backpack to Brazil had the returning Warriors utility ready \u201cto ring Webby [coach Andrew Webster] and say I\u2019m backing out.\u201d<\/p>\n
But for one of the younger players thrust into professional rugby league \u2013 Harris-Tavita became eligible to play for the Warriors under-20s on his 17th birthday in 2016, and so that day he did exactly that \u2013 the itch proved impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n
So much so that after a year\u2019s travelling Europe, Bali, Thailand, North and South America as well as Samoa, Harris-Tavita started his Warriors pre-season early, promptly tweaking his groin in a goalkicking session with Daryl Halligan.<\/p>\n
Harris-Tavita raised eyebrows when he was off-contract 18 months ago and realising his passion for rugby league had waned, he walked away from a six-figure salary to work out he wanted.<\/p>\n
Working on his uncle\u2019s farm in the Samoan village of Afega, population 2000, and collecting coconuts on weekends, it all twigged for the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chanel Harris-Tavita during his last stint for the Warriors.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>NRL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cIt was a very simple life over there,\u201d Harris-Tavita said, having kept up with the Warriors stunning rise to a grand final qualifier under Webster when he could.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really put life into perspective and made me appreciate what I have here. It was a bit of happiness and a bit of FOMO [fear of missing out]. I was in Samoa watching them play and the Wi-Fi wasn\u2019t great.<\/p>\n \u201cI kept a close eye on them and that\u2019s one of the reasons why I came back to the club. I saw a lot of potential and I think we can go a step further next year.<\/p>\n Chanel Harris-Tavita (centre) with Nathan Cleary and Pat Carrigan in Prague after the 2022 World Cup.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Instagram<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cThe longer I thought about it, the more I watched the boys, the more time I had to myself, I thought, \u2018Look, I\u2019m young enough to get myself back into shape\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought about the opportunity I have, still being in my 20s, to play as a pro athlete \u2026 It\u2019s the time to take full advantage of what I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n Harris-Tavita returns to the Warriors on a two-year deal, with a mutual option for 2026, that compares favourably to the money he was earning in his last contract.<\/p>\n He had other NRL options and spoke to his former coach Todd Payten and the Cowboys, among them.<\/p>\n Given the Warriors have playmakers Shaun Johnson, Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin and Ronald Volkman in their top 30 this season, there are no guarantees for Harris-Tavita.<\/p>\n Or regrets.<\/p>\n \u201cLife is about making mistakes and learning from them and even if it wasn\u2019t the right decision for me, I\u2019m still willing to own that decision and I know that back then that was the best decision for me,\u201d Harris-Tavita said.<\/p>\n \u201cI just urge players to be honest with themselves. Only you know deep down how you\u2019re feeling about whatever situation you are in.<\/p>\n \u201cEven if it\u2019s going against the grain, just back yourself \u2026 Now that I\u2019m back, I\u2019m refreshed, I\u2019m happy and I\u2019m not saying \u2018imagine if I took a year off to travel\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve done it and I\u2019m proud of myself for that, I\u2019m back and I\u2019m ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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