Warriors need to plug hole in halves
Revolving door at standoff has made it difficult for Shaun Johnson to hone his role as game controller
Finding the right foil for Shaun Johnson in 2018 and beyond should be the number one current priority for the Warriors.
With the Kieran Foran situation finally resolved, the focus now turns to Johnson’s partner next year.
There’s been a merry- go- round of five- eighths at the Warriors since 2011, from James Maloney and Thomas Leuluai to Chad Townsend and Ata Hingano.
The constant carousel has undoubtedly affected Johnson’s game — as they all brought different styles — but the 26- year- old also needs to take some responsibility.
Johnson hasn’t been able to fulfil his potential. He’s yet to demonstrate he can run a team, or consistently step up in pressure situations. He’s good — very good — but needs to become a great.
Although there is an expectation on him to produce magic, it’s not actually about that. The key is making the right decisions; knowing what the team needs in big moments, and delivering it.
Johnson has developed well, especially over the last two seasons, but the gulf between his good performances and his average ones is still too great.
Unlike Cooper Cronk or Johnathan Thurston, Johnson’s game can still contrast between rocks and diamonds. His consistency has improved this season, but there i s more to come from the franchise’s marquee player.
“The Warriors need a controller,” said former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett. “Kieran has shown what is possible, he is a special player that makes everyone around him better and commands the field. It has improved Shaun, and inspired him to lift his game, which he has done.”
Having Foran at first receiver has been a game changer for the Warriors. While he does a lot of the or- ganising and takes some of the playmaking load, Johnson is free to roam.
It’s never really been that way before. Maloney and Johnson had a different dynamic, with the Australian as the senior partner in 2011 before his form fell away the following year. Leuluai did a good job and brought defensive solidity but always looked more suited to hooker. Townsend has since proved himself at the battle hardened Sharks, winning a premiership last year. He never completely clicked alongside Johnson and behind a less than imposing pack.
“With the talent Shaun has and the way he plays you need a certain type of player beside him,” said Barnett. “It doesn’t have to be a big name but it needs to be someone with calmness and control about them; someone who doesn’t panic.”
The last seven years have been frustrating for fans, with a constant rotation of halves combinations, but it’s nothing new for the Auckland club. Stacey Jones had a huge number of partners during his 261 games, including Greg Alexander, Gene Ngamu, Lance Hohaia, Sione Faumuina, John Simon and Motu Tony. When Jones moved on after the 2005 season, men such as Nathan Fien, Grant Rovelli, Michael Witt, Brett Seymour and George Gatis filled the role before Johnson arrived in 2011. ● The Warriors have confirmed lock Simon Mannering will miss today’s away clash against the Penrith Panthers after suffering a hamstring injury at training on Wednesday.
Mannering will be replaced in the starting side by Ben Matulino, while the club was granted an exemption to add Albert Vete to their 21- man squad.
The Warriors' squad was trimmed to 19 yesterday, with Manu Vatuvei and Mason Lino dropping out. The final 17 will be named an hour before kick- off.
Panthers v Warriors at Pepper Stadium, tonight, 5pm ( NZT)
Warriors squad: 1 Roger TuivasaSheck ( c) 2 David Fusitu'a 3 Blake Ayshford 4 Solomone Kata 5 Ken Maumalo 6 Kieran Foran 7 Shaun Johnson 8 James Gavet 9 Issac Luke 10 Jacob Lillyman 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman 17 Ben Matulino.
Interchange: 14 Nathaniel Roache 15 Sam Lisone 16 Ligi Sao 23 Albert Vete Reserves: 21 Bunty Afoa 22 Charnze Nicoll- Klokstad.