NZ-bound Johnson ruled out for season

Shaun Johnson has played his last NRL game for the Cronulla Sharks after coach Josh Hannay yesterday confirmed he won’t return from a hamstring injury this season.

Johnson, who will rejoin the Warriors in 2022, suffered a serious hamstring injury in the Sharks’ win over the Bulldogs last Sunday.

Johnson avoided surgery and it was initially hoped he could return for the late rounds or the finals, should the Sharks make the top eight.

But Hannay reportedly confirmed yesterday Johnson would miss the rest of the season. He said even if rehab went well, Johnson was unlikely to play again, even if seventhplaced Cronulla make the finals.

Hannay was unsure whether the Kiwi veteran would remain with the club in their Queensland bubble.

Meanwhile, kickoff in the NRLW premiership has been delayed until October due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the six-week competition to be held as a standalone event.

The NRL held discussions with the six participating clubs this week and resolved to push ahead with the competition but delayed it because of uncertainty created by the lockdown restrictions in New South Wales.

Newcastle, who were expected to field at least eight players from New Zealand, are working through what this delay means for their Kiwi contingent, as players may not be able to commit to remaining in Australia for an additional two months.

Likewise, players who are battling injuries will have extra time to make themselves available for securing NRLW contracts, with roster spots still available across all six teams, with the Titans, Knights and Eels joining foundation clubs the Broncos, Dragons and Roosters this season.