NRL: Rising superstar Johnson to finally make debut

Shaun Johnson. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The wait is almost over. Shaun Johnson, the player long touted as the Warriors' superstar playmaker of the future, will make his NRL debut tomorrow night.

Johnson has been drafted into the side to face the Roosters as a replacement for Brett Seymour, who is out with a fractured cheekbone.

His debut has been a long time coming. A former top-level touch player, he was immediately identified as a major talent upon joining the club's junior ranks in 2009.

After his debut match at U20s level, Andrew Johns - a player rated by many as the best halfback to have played the game - said Johnson evoked memories of a young Stacey Jones.

"I haven't been this excited about a player in a long time," Johns told a Sunday newspaper at the time. "While I am not comparing him to Stacey, it probably would have been that long ago since I've been impressed by a player as much as I have been impressed with this kid."

The "next Stacey" tag earned Johnson an early contract upgrade that warded off potential poachers, but his development has been more painstaking than spectacular.

A brilliant attacking player, Johnson has yet to allay concerns about his defensive ability and durability.

Last season he made a brief foray into the New South Wales Cup, turning out for the Auckland Vulcans. The move, designed to give him a taste of mixing with grown men, wasn't overly successful and Johnson quickly returned to the club's U20 side.

He completed his junior career with a sparkling display in the Warriors' NYC grand final victory over South Sydney last October. A prolific goal kicker, he racked up 412 points in 45 games at the junior level.

This year was always going to be make-or-break for Johnson.

No longer eligible for the NYC team, he began the season among a clutch of playmakers hoping to nail a spot in the NRL team. But a back injury suffered during pre-season kicking practice ruled him out for three months, ending any hope he had of making an immediate impact.

He returned to action with the Vulcans a month ago, and reports on his form have been positive.

Tomorrow night Warriors fans will get a chance to judge for themselves what all the fuss is about. It's hard to recall a more anticipated debut at the club.

With Seymour expected to be out for two to three weeks, Johnson should get at least a couple of chances to impress.