A ‘lifetime’ Warrior

HE’S only into his second year of first-grade footy but don’t expect Warriors star Shaun Johnson to leaving the club any time soon.

Johnson is currently signed through until the end of 2014 at Mt Smart Stadium, and Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club will make every effort to ensure the young star becomes a ‘lifetime player.’

‘‘Our standard practice is that we’ve always kept ahead of Shaun,’’ Scurrah said.

‘‘I’d like to believe that, as a player, when his worth has increased, that we should acknowledge that and pay him according to that worth.

‘‘It’s not just about keeping ahead of the guys but giving them what they fairly deserve too.

‘‘There’s going to be that challenge again if he keeps progressing and we need to make sure that we keep ahead of him again, while staying within the salary cap and giving him what he deserves.’’

Johnson has been much-hyped at the Warriors from a young age after legendary Kangaroos halfback Andrew Johns described the youngster as the next big thing after seeing his first-ever game of Toyota Cup football.

Scurrah said he envisages Johnson joining the ranks of Simon Mannering and Manu Vatuvei as long-term Warriors.

Johnson played just his 26th NRL game against the Tigers on Friday, but has already cemented himself as one of the NRL’S top young talents.

‘‘He’s not the first player we’ve felt that way about,’’ Scurrah said. ‘‘Guys like Manu and Simon Mannering, we try to keep ahead of them as best we can. We can’t always do it. But Sam Rapira is another one . . . It’s good for them – it gives them stability.’’