Superstar Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson won’t play in New Zealand’s first NRL finals match in half a decade after succumbing to a left calf injury on the eve of the huge Saturday clash.
Johnson was named at seven to play the ladder-topping Penrith Panthers at BlueBet Stadium but pulled up with tightness in his calf in training.
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Warriors coach Andrew Webster has since confirmed they have decided to withdraw him from the game. “If it was a broken hand, you could try and play with it because it can’t get any worse, but when it’s a soft tissue injury, you’ve got to make sure you’re careful,” he said. “You just can’t risk it.”
The 32-year-old has been in resurgent form across 2023 and has been a huge part of the New Zealand rise. Across 23 games this year he’s scored eight tries and kicked 71 goals. Many are already tipping him to win the Dally M Medal too.
When questioned by reporters at Sydney Airport he said he has faith in the team.
“We’ve come here to win a game and we’re going to do that,” he said. “We’ve got players who can step in, we’ve done it all year, we’ve filled a role and that’s why we’re here.”
The Sporting Base understands Ronald Volkman will now join the halves. The backup playmaker will join Te Maire Martin, who actually only returned to first grade some weeks ago after a broken leg. The Warriors have applied for an exemption to let Volkamn (not named on Tuesday) play.
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Should the Warriors lose to the Panthers they will get a second chance against the Newcastle Knights or Canberra Raiders next weekend. Johnson is expected to be back by then.
