League: Johnson's chance has finally arrived

Shaun Johnson is recognised as one of the up and coming halves in the NRL. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Most of the signs are positive enough but we won't know whether Warriors starlet Shaun Johnson can swim until we see him in the pool.

Tonight's debut match against the Roosters, which will pit the 20-year-old against a halves pairing of reigning Dally M medallist Todd Carney and NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce, is certainly a case of being thrown in the deep end.

Former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott, who with former Kiwis forward Peter Brown manages Johnson, expects his prize client to float just fine.

"I'll be like most fans in New Zealand - wishing him well," said Endacott, who plans to watch the match from his Christchurch home while sipping a quiet beer. "I hope he has a real good debut and this is the start of a long first-grade career."

Warriors fans awaiting the emergence of a home-grown champion playmaker will echo those sentiments.

But, despite his glittering junior career, Johnson is no sure thing.

"Being good at Toyota Cup level is one thing, being good in first grade is another," Endacott admitted. "But he has showed enough to think that he can handle it.

"He is a talented player. He's widely recognised as one of the best up-and-coming halves in the NRL."

That recognition has come with an equivalent level of expectation. Close to two-and-a-half years have passed since he first turned heads in the under-20s. Brett Seymour, Issac John, James Maloney, Feleti Mateo and even Aaron Heremaia have all had a crack in the halves over that time. The Warriors certainly can't be accused of rushing things.

"I think they've played it pretty smart actually," Endacott said.

"This is a big game for him to come into. Away from home there might just be a bit less pressure on him, but he is marking a pretty good halves combination at the Roosters. It will be a good test for the lad. I'm hoping he goes real good."

No one doubts Johnson has the skills to succeed in first grade. Whether he is a good enough defender and tough enough to survive in the brutal world of first grade is another story.

"Training full time with the big guys in the first-grade squad will have brought some of that out in him," Endacott said. "But the true test is when you get out there.

"It's okay being identified, but you've still got to prove it on the park."

Back rower Steve Rapira may have 26 first-grade appearances to his name but he will be just as excited as Johnson ahead of his first game for the club.

A member of the Warriors' inaugural NYC team, Rapira left in 2009 and spent two seasons with the Cowboys.

A groin reconstruction midway through last season and a knee injury suffered during pre-season means he hasn't played an NRL match in almost a year.

"It has been hard," said Rapira, who admitted he used to watch Warriors games on TV in Townsville and think he should be "back home playing with my mates".

"I have got my shot now, so I have just got to go hard," he said.

"I want to go out there and just do my job for the team. If I can just do my thing, nothing flashy, nothing special, then I'll be happy with that."

Rapira, the younger brother of Kiwis prop Sam, replaces Ukuma Ta'ai, who is out until round 17 with a knee injury.

Coach Ivan Cleary hopes Rapira will add some mongrel to the pack.


Johnson has replaced the injured Brett Seymour (broken cheekbone), while Lance Hohaia is the other notable absentee.

Hohaia is expected to be out for two weeks as he rests a sternum injury.

His place on the bench goes to Shaun Berrigan.

* Hooker Aaron Heremaia will join Super League club Hull FC next season. The 28-year-old has signed a two-year deal with an option for a third season, the club's website reports.

Roosters v Warriors
Sydney, 7.30 tonight

Roosters

A Minichiello
Rhys Pritchard
Justin Carney
S Kenny-Dowall
Joseph Leilua
Todd Carney
Mitchell Pearce
Jason Ryles
Jake Friend
Nate Myles
Braith Anasta
FP Nuuausala
Aidan Guerra

Interchange: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Tinirau Arona, Mark Riddell, Tom Symonds, Boyd Cordner (one to be omitted).

Warriors

Kevin Locke
Krisnan Inu
Lewis Brown
Simon Mannering
Manu Vatuvei
James Maloney
Shaun Johnson
Russell Packer
Aaron Heremaia
Jacob Lillyman
Feleti Mateo
Elijah Taylor
Micheal Luck

Interchange:
Shaun Berrigan, Jeremy Latimore, Ben Matulino, Steve Rapira.

steve.deane@nzherald.co.nz