Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita never expected to make this decision, but at the age of 23 he has chosen to take a hiatus from the NRL.
“I want to take a break from rugby league,” he told AAP. “I’ve made the decision in the last couple of weeks.
“Over the last year I haven’t been enjoying it as much as I want to, even though being an NRL player was something I dreamed of as a kid.”
He will leave the Warriors at the end of the 2022 NRL season and says his decision is not related to mental health.
Arguably the most talented New Zealand playmaker to come through the Warriors since Shaun Johnson’s arrival at NRL level in 2011, Harris-Tavita has it all.
(Photo by Glenn Hunt/Getty Images)
A nice step, a rock-solid defensive game and a left boot equal parts power and precision. But just 44 games into his NRL career and the playmaker has decided to put that on hold.
“I have felt guilty when I think about the decision I’m making,” he said. “There are plenty of kids out there that would love to be in my position. Stepping back from the game might look like I’m taking it all for granted.
“I just think it’s the best decision for me. Each time I told a family member or friend, it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
“I was scared to say it out loud, let alone tell my family, friends, and teammates. Most of the people I told were shocked, but they were all very supportive, which I’m thankful for.
“I’m extremely grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve worked with. Soon it’ll be time for a change of scenery.”
Harris-Tavita intends to use 2023 to travel and continue his newfound hobby of writing. He is still keen to represent Samoa or New Zealand at the Rugby League World Cup later this year.
The playmaker says the pressure of coming off contract this year was the catalyst for him to finally make his decision.
The Warriors offered Harris-Tavita a new deal in the pre-season, he knocked them back and said he wanted to hold off, eager to prove his worth after two injury-affected years.
But the delay was partly because he knew he was living a lie. “I was trying to delay the contract decision,” he said.
“Deep down, I knew I didn’t want to sign another contract and I was trying to hide that feeling from everyone including myself.
“A couple of weeks ago my manager was coming to Brisbane to negotiate my contract and I said to myself: ‘am I going to grow some balls and make this decision now or am I just going to keep everyone else happy?’.
“Before that I was practically lying to everyone about what I wanted to do.”
After being part of the Warriors side which has been forced to live in Terrigal, Tamworth, the Gold Coast and now Brisbane over the last three years, Harris-Tavita hopes to finish this chapter of his NRL journey back in Auckland.
“It’s been a long time coming,” he added. “Hopefully we can play some good footy and get a good turnout.
“Knowing there’s an end in sight, I’m sure I’ll appreciate each moment a little bit more.”
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Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Good on him for walking away. A year off will give him time to consider if he wants to come back.
Dionysus
Guest
Many many people are stuck doing a job for a living that they hate but they have zero option but to do it. They need to feed their kids and put a roof over their heads so they wait on in bars, scrub public toilets, mow grass and fix cars. Some can spend 50 years painting other peoples houses, hauling bricks around a building site, going down a mine or picking up a gun and getting shot at. Chanel may not enjoy playing anymore but he has a job, a very well paid job and he will only be doing it for a maximum of 15 years. Many people doing some of thos other jobs or who don't have a job at all might consider him hard done by.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
It's like he's a train without a station. Just rolling along without a purpose or destination. Like half the NRL teams this year.
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Wayne Bennett could be just what cht needs, I hope after his break he comes back to game though I could see him playing rugby in japan
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Yeah how good is that? Clearly doing what he knows makes him feel good
Danno
Roar Rookie
Well done mate , do what you want to do
JGK
Roar Guru
Good on him. It's a mature decision. Hope he writes as good as he plays footy.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Good on him. If he feels he's gone stale and needs time out it may do him a lot of good and come back refreshed. When I was his age I was on the other side of the world travelling around Europe living it up and I recommend he does something similar. He has enough talent to play top grade again and I hope he does.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
I remember when Jamal Idris said "that'll do me" and he went backpacking. Or when Eric Grothe Jr was picked for the Kangaroos and he turned it down saying he couldn't be arsed. It just stops being fun for many.
Redcap
Roar Guru
It probably happens all the time at lower levels.
Adam
Roar Guru
If you do kick it you have to buy more beers. Good for the economy!
dogs
Guest
Good on him. In general most people will encourage kids to be independent, travel, try different things as opposed to dedicate themselves to work as soon as they finish school. But for footy players we change the rules and expect them to 110% dedicate themselves to something when they have so little experience of things to compare it to. I'm surprised we don't hear more of it.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah I think it’s cypress hill that said “ its a fun job, but its still a job”. Anything where it becomes that you have to do it, becomes a job and becomes forced in some way. Even the way you play. Me playing local 3rd grade rugby I can kick the footy too much when I have no business kicking, because it’s just a bit of fun. But playing NRL you will be forced to do a role, not just play footy. That can suck the joy out of it for many.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Let's put it this way . A lot of young guys are pushed towards it by over ambitious parents . A lot of guys certainly want to do it as quick as possible . Look at the late bloomers like Cody Walker and yesterday's guy Lachlan Miller . Maybe it's the not playing in NZ for a couple of years . Most importantly as long his health is okay . He may comeback you never know .
Adam
Roar Guru
That's the ticket isn't it. Lots of people advise not doing what you love as a job because you'll grow to hate it. Has to be the same for footy for some people
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You say “they know what they are in for” but they don’t actually know what it’s going to feel like doing it year after year. Every week auditioning for your job to an extent. The game you love becoming work, etc.
Redcap
Roar Guru
CHT's a good player - I hope we see him back at some stage. But, whatever happens, I hope he finds some happiness and fulfilment.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
That's like saying " I don't like beer anymore " . If it's a mental thing fair enough but these young guys know what they are in for . That's why the NRL have made a decision not to let guys under 18 start to play . That's why the decision to let young Suuali play last year was a strange one .