Mason in the Lino fire again

Once again the Warriors will put their faith in Mason Lino at halfback as Shaun Johnson sits out injured, but for how much longer?

The affable Lino has been the loyal understudy to Johnson at the Warriors for the past few years, with his appearances becoming more common as the first-choice halfback has become more injury prone.

You’d never hear Lino moan about his plight and he was elated when the Warriors offered him a new two-year contract during the middle of last season.

Lino didn’t have anything else

people,’’ he said. ‘‘I just want to impart as much knowledge as I can to people in the New Zealand game. It’s going to give me the opportunity to build the game from juniors all the way through.’’

Asked how he would work with the New Zealand team culture, Maguire said he would wait to assess lined up and a career mostly spent playing in the under 20s and reserve grade meant other NRL clubs barely took notice of him.

But that all started to chance when Lino played against the Roosters in round four this season, when he was outstanding and other clubs were able to see his potential.

It allowed Lino to feel there was a footy career for him outside the reserves.

‘‘I want to be the starting halfback for the first grade team,’’ Lino said.

‘‘So when I see opportunities I try to take them.’’

where the organisation was at before making any decisions.

Maguire’s first assignment will be the historic test in Denver against England on June 23.

The Kiwis also play Australia in Auckland in October before a threetest tour of England, followed by a one-off test against France.