Sunday Star-Times

Coach to Johnson: Enjoy yourself and keep the defence guessing

- David Long

Warriors coach Andrew Webster has told Shaun Johnson to have fun in today’s trial game against the Storm in Christchur­ch.

The 32-year-old halfback will be making his first appearance this year when the Warriors have their final hit-out before their season-opener against the Knights in Wellington on March 3.

As always, there will be plenty of attention on Johnson, not just to see how his combinatio­n with Ronald Volkman goes, but also to look at how he’s evolving as a player.

Luke Metcalf was impressive in the trial against Wests Tigers this month and some in the media had already been calling for him and Martin to be the halves combinatio­n for the start of the season.

That can’t happen, given Metcalf picked up a hamstring injury at training last week, which could sideline him for up to eight weeks.

However, it was never realistic for Webster to go with any combinatio­n other than Johnson and Te Maire Martin to kick off the campaign.

Webster says he’s told Johnson to look to get involved as much as possible against the Storm, and also to enjoy himself.

‘‘I want him to run the footy when he gets opportunit­ies, I want him to get us around and kick well,’’ Webster said.

‘‘I also want him to have fun. I’m not really worried about what people are saying about Shaun.

‘‘When experience­d players like Shaun are high-profile, they’re always going to have media around them, but I think he’s experience­d enough not to worry about that.

‘‘We back him, we’ve seen he’s in great condition, he’s trained so hard . . . So I’m looking forward to him being himself and having fun.

‘‘If he does that, he’s going to play a really good brand of footy.’’

Webster is looking for his halves to be more of an attacking threat this year. Previously it was all too predictabl­e how they’d play, rarely challengin­g the line, and opposition defences were

able to work them out. Webster want his halves to keep defences guessing this year.

‘‘You look at Adam Reynolds, he’s a good running half and is also a good organiser. We need guys who are a constant threat to the line,’’ Webster said.

‘‘If you look at every time Luke or Te Maire took the line on (against the Tigers), it was running with support and putting the defence into two minds, then taking opportunit­ies.’’

He has named almost his strongest side to start the game against the Storm, although Ronald Volkman and Jackson Ford are two players who wouldn’t be regarded as lock-ins for round one.

Webster feels he knows the makeup of around three quarters of the 17 to face the Knights, but other spots are up for grabs.

‘‘There are some guys who are dead set locked in, based on their performanc­es and just how good they are as players, their experience and what they bring,’’ Webster said.

‘‘But they have still got to go out and prove it this weekend and for young guys there is still the opportunit­y for them to get in.’’

 ?? PHOTOSPORT ?? Halfback Shaun Johnson has worked hard on his fitness, says Warriors coach Andrew Webster.
PHOTOSPORT Halfback Shaun Johnson has worked hard on his fitness, says Warriors coach Andrew Webster.

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