Warriors look set to cut Johnson free
AUCKLAND: Milliondollar halfback Shaun Johnson’s time in a Warriors jersey could be coming to an end.
The Kiwi test star has a year to run on his contract but with the NRL player transfer market opening on November 1 the Warriors are yet to make an offer to re sign the 162 game veteran beyond next season.
The 28yearold has been the Warriors chief playmaker since he first burst on to the scene in 2011 and retaining him has always been the club’s No 1 priority — until now.
In a move that would previously have seemed unthinkable, NZME understands the Auckland club has told Johnson to explore his options and test his value with rival clubs on the open market.
Johnson last year resigned with the Warriors on a twoyear deal worth seven figures, making him the highest paid player in the club’s history, but he has struggled to live up to his huge price tag.
Sources close to the Warriors have revealed they are no longer willing to fork out the sort of cash reserved only for the game’s elite players to keep him on the books.
Consistency has eluded Johnson throughout his career and there are doubts the mercurial playmaker is the right man to steer the club to a historic first premiership win. It is understood the Warriors are keen to look elsewhere to see if there is a better long term option for the role.
The door is not shut on Johnson staying at Mount Smart but, much like what unfolded with resigned hooker Issac Luke, if it is to table a new offer it will be a drastically reduced deal.
Warriors CEO Cameron
George confirmed the club was in no rush to resign Johnson and keeping their options open.
‘‘The club are openminded about the future and we’ll talk to Shaun and his management when he gets back from overseas about the future,’’ George said.
‘‘We are not scared about making any big calls on our roster because we want to win this competition and everyone’s always under review.’’
It is also understood the Warriors have a contingency plan in place to ensure they won’t be caught short if Johnson was to depart following his return from the Kiwis end of year tour of England.
The Wests Tigers have agreed to terms with former South Sydney premiershipwinning coach Michael Maguire on a threeyear deal.
The West Tigers are in the process of finalising the release of Ivan Cleary before they can put pen to paper with Maguire.
Maguire is in England coaching the Kiwise but is expected to return straight to Australia midNovember to begin his tenure with the Tigers.
The Penrith Panthers are expected to announce Cleary’s fiveyear deal in the coming days, meaning both the Tigers and Panthers are likely to have new coaches for the start of the new financial year on November 1.
Cleary will take over from caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo at the Penrith helm in 2019.
The developments come after Souths announced on Thursday it had signed Wayne Bennett for 2020 on a twoyear deal.
Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold is the frontrunner to replace him at the Broncos. — NZME/RNZ