Cowboys meet with Warriors playmaker in recruitment raid

The North Queensland Cowboys are weighing up a potential halves shake-up, with the club reportedly circling Chanel Harris-Tavita as they assess their options moving forward.

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According to CODE Sports, Cowboys coach Todd Payten has met with Harris-Tavita in recent weeks, with the 27-year-old currently off-contract beyond the 2026 season and attracting interest as a genuine playmaking option.

The interest signals North Queensland’s intent to potentially partner Harris-Tavita with superstar halfback Tom Dearden, forming a new-look halves combination as the club plans for the future.

Harris-Tavita has been a key contributor for the Warriors, but his long-term place in the side remains uncertain. With Tanah Boyd emerging and Luke Metcalf locked in long-term, opportunities in the halves could become limited.

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That situation has opened the door for rivals, with North Queensland among the most proactive, and Cowboys coach Todd Payten already having links to the Warriors half from his own time in New Zealand.

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The move also comes amid uncertainty surrounding Jake Clifford, who has been offered a multi-year extension by the Cowboys but has yet to commit.

His hesitation has prompted the club to explore alternatives, either as a genuine replacement option or as leverage in ongoing negotiations.

The news comes after continuous roster movement in recent weeks, with the retention of young guns Tom Chester and Jaxson Purdue offset by the departure of superstar fullback Scott Drinkwater and talk that Origin winger Murray Taulagi could be exiting.

At this stage, the situation remains fluid, but the Cowboys’ interest is a clear sign they are not standing still — and with Clifford yet to lock in his future, a significant halves change in Townsville could be on the horizon.

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