Warriors fizzing after week off, Johnson says
AUCKLAND: Shaun Johnson says the value of his missing the Denver test will be borne out in the NRL when the Warriors host Cronulla tonight.
Key playmaker Johnson confirmed Warriors management requested that he be unavailable for the controversial midseason test against England to help shake off some persistent niggles.
Having played the two previous rounds, Johnson admits he was disappointed to miss out on the historic test, particularly after watching the
Kiwis go down.
However, he could understand his club’s stance, reinforced when their three New Zealand representatives — Issac Luke, Peta Hiku and Ken Maumalo — did not arrive back until early Wednesday morning because of flight complications.
By the time the test kicked off, Johnson had come to terms with his absence.
‘‘It was all right. I was pretty comfy on the couch,’’ he said.
‘‘Any chance you get to represent your country, you want to take that. This time I wasn’t able to . . . and when you get a little break at this time of the year, you’re going to make the most of it.
‘‘The boys who did get the weekend off are coming back feeling good.’’
Coach Stephen Kearney was still to decide yesterday if any of his Kiwis trio will face the Sharks at Mt Smart Stadium tonight.
Outsideback strike weapons David Fusitu’a (ankle) and Solomone Kata (hamstring) were named to start but are in serious doubt.
Fusitu’a missed the 2316 win over North Queensland two weeks ago while Kata limped off in the second half.
That victory in Townsville, the 10th for the fourthplaced Warriors, was highlighted by captain Roger TuivasaSheck’s brilliant solo try.
A tongueincheek Johnson
said fullback TuivasaSheck had seemingly become energised since the arrival of his first child earlier this month.
‘‘Roger seems to be coming to training really excited, like he wants to get out of the house maybe — like it’s a bit crazy there,’’ Johnson said.
‘‘We’re like his outlet.’’ Johnson described the seventhplaced Sharks as a team prepared to do the ‘‘dirty work’’ more than most. — AAP