Andrew Webster’s key advice to veteran Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson
It may only be three rounds into the season, but it’s hard to imagine a bigger surprise package than the New Zealand Warriors.
After an opening round win against the Knights and a tough loss to the Roosters, the side beat one of Premiership favorites North Queensland in Round 3 in a shock declaration to the opposition.
Andrew Webster has brought some pride back to a club who have not made it to the finals since 2018 as their defensive structures and strong play cause headaches for opposing defences.
One man who has benefited from a fresh voice in the coaching box is Shaun Johnson, with the veteran playmaker helping orchestrate their two wins earlier in the season.
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Speaking of SEN radio, Webster revealed the simple advice he gave the 32-year-old ahead of the season.
“I think just being himself just to understand how much faith we have in him,” he said.
“Shaun totally understands what the team needs right now…it’s pretty clear, it’s not complicated.
“I’ve always found it difficult everyone challenging Shaun to direct football – if you look at Shaun for years the best way he directs football is when he has players moving around him.
“So I said to Shaun, ‘If you’re going to manage football, you’ve got to have numbers’ — you’ve got to have what they call in the NRL, they call it form, like players inside, outside, players back out.
“When you do that you question the defense and I think that’s when he’s playing his best football.”
Johnson has also built a powerful combination with new signing Te Maire Martin, with the former Bronco producing two try assists and five line break assists in the first three games.
But it’s the parts of Johnson’s game that most fans and pundits criticize that have impressed Webster more than his attacking prowess.
“I think everyone has been critical of their kicking game in the process,” Webster said.
“He understood that and he owned that, but that’s what exams are for. Round 1 in the cake pan [Sky Stadium] couldn’t have been windier so I think he’s worked out his kicking game.
“He’s learned to use it to apply pressure and it makes a big impression.
“But I was more impressed with his defense over the weekend. The trial saves he’s had on his trial line over the past two weeks have been outstanding.”
Statistics by Shaun Johnson 2023
| games | 3 |
| Try | – |
| Goals | 7 |
| Try Assists | 1 |
| Linebreak helps | 1 |
| Forced dropouts | 1 |
| Average kick meters | 500m |
| Average running meters | 46m |
| tackles | 52 |
| address efficiency | 93% |
Will Shaun Johnson re-sign with the Warriors?
Despite the strong start to the season, Shaun Johnson remains unsigned for 2024 and beyond.
The 32-year-old is unlikely to land a long-term deal with the likes of Ronald Volkman and Luke Metcalf waiting in the wings, but he could be renewed for another short-term stay if his form holds up.
Speak with NRL.com Ahead of the season, Johnson said he was motivated to prove he had what it took to stay in first grade.
“I’m driven to prove myself to them [teammates] and I’m keen to prove to myself that I still belong in this arena and still have something to offer because I’m getting better and better,” he said.
“As you get a little bit older you probably get a little bit stronger in your head, you adjust your game, you learn to play to your strengths and what suits the team around you.
“Right now I think I’m the best fit and Te Maire is the best fit and that’s how we’ll start, but we’re not going to rest on our laurels. Ronny, he’s sharp. Lukey Metcalf is perceptive. So we know we have a good core of players there and when the time comes, anyone who fills those roles will be fine.
“It’s a real competitive backbone right now and I know that will bring out the best in me.”