Jett Cleary set to make long-awaited NRL debut as Warriors’ injury crisis deepens

Jett Cleary is set to make his NRL debut after the Warriors ’ halves crisis deepened, with a fourth playmaker injured on the eve of the finals.

In a double blow, the Warriors confirmed on Saturday Chanel Harris-Tavita had suffered a hamstring strain and Te Maire Martin would also not return against Newcastle.

Harris-Tavita had effectively been the last Warriors half left standing, with Tanah Boyd already ruled out for the season and Luke Metcalf also hurt.

The Warriors are confident the pair will train fully in the lead up to next Saturday’s final-round clash with Manly, and stressed the decision was precautionary.

The club’s run to the top of the NRL ladder has come despite the ongoing injury woes, with Sunday to mark the ninth spine combination used by Andrew Webster this year.

Even with all that, wins in the Warriors’ last two games will ensure a top-two finish and the chance to avoid travel and stay in Auckland until grand final week.

Martin has not played since he tore his hamstring in round 22, while Harris-Tavita is understood to have pulled up sore at training this week.

It means the youngest Cleary will debut for the table-topping club on Sunday in Auckland, with Luke Hansen playing his third NRL match alongside him at five-eighth.

Combined, the duo will make for the least experienced halves pairing in Warriors history.

They will also be the least experienced in the NRL since Jack Cogger and Brock Lamb at Newcastle in 2016.

The pair, who are both Penrith juniors, at least have the advantage of playing together in NSW Cup over the past two years.

Cleary joined the Warriors in 2025, and came off the bench in last year’s State Cup final at Accor Stadium on NRL grand final day, with his brother Nathan and father Ivan among the family in attendance.

The 21-year-old has has since been released to return to Penrith next year for Ivan’s last year as an NRL coach.

The Warriors will also have Luke Laulilii start on the wing for the first time after his mid-season transfer from Wests Tigers, as a result of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s broken shoulder last week.