Leaving ‘best’ for Johnson
Leaving the Warriors could see Shaun Johnson win an NRL premiership.
That’s the view of legendary league halfback Johnathan Thurston, as the future of the Kiwis star remains uncertain.
Speaking on Radio Sport, the recently retired Thurston said that Johnson’s career could flourish if he left the Warriors.
‘‘Certainly it would be a massive loss if he does explore his options and goes to another club,’’ Thurston said.
‘‘And if he goes to another club that have got a strong culture around him he could certainly soar to the heights that we all think that he can get to.
‘‘And no doubt if he’s at a club like the Roosters, for example, he could win a premiership there, if he’s going to a club of that stature as well.’’
Last month, the Warriors said Johnson could test his value on the free market, indicating they would be willing to let go a player they re-signed last year on a twoyear deal worth seven figures; making him the highest paid player in the club’s history.
Thurston, who retired at the end of the 2018 NRL season after starring for the Canterbury Bulldogs, North Queensland Cowboys, Queensland and Australia, said Johnson was always under the spotlight with the Warriors.
‘‘He’s had a lot of pressure on him since he’s come through.
‘‘He hasn’t really had a settled halves partner throughout his career since he’s been at the Warriors really and so he’s had to shoulder a lot of the blame.’’