Sam Tomkins has to move into the halfback position, writes Graham Lowe. Photo / Getty
Sam Tomkins has to move into the halfback position, writes Graham Lowe. Photo / Getty
Opinion
Shaun Johnson's injury was a devastating blow for the Warriors and for Johnson himself. He was touching the form we all know he's capable of, he's been outstanding. It's a blow but it's not deadly.
The Warriors in a good position and still sit in the top eight. They've got to for it now and I think they can do it on the back on two players.
I'm looking at Sam Tomkins. When he was signed by the club, I certainly questioned his signing because of the strategy concerns I have over the salary cap. In saying that, I think he's the player to lead them through. I wouldn't even question putting him to halfback. The more times he touches the ball, the better chances the Warriors are going to have this year.
I said they were genuine dark horses for this year and I still think the same, even without Shaun.
The cup experience and the big game experience that Tomkins has had, with due respect to everyone else in the team, he's had more than all of them put together.
With him in a halfback role and the responsibility that goes with that, he'll excel in it and I think he's ready mentally. He totally understands the NRL game and I really think he has the ability to lead them through the rest of the way.
I put myself in the opposition shoes. Their coach will be looking closely at the Warriors line-up and if Tomkins is playing fullback, he'll breathe a little easier. If he sees Tomkins at halfback, he'll think oh s***.
His draw and pass game is as good as anyone in the NRL. Just give him the number seven jersey and say let's go to the grand final.
With him in a halfback role and the responsibility that goes with that, he'll excel in it and I think he's ready mentally. He totally understands the NRL game and I really think he has the ability to lead them through the rest of the way.
I thought in a well beaten side on Saturday night, he was their best player. The bigger games are, the greater Sam Tomkins comes. Put him in at halfback. I wouldn't really be hesitating.
The other player is Ben Matulino. He's got to step up and go to another level in his game. He's a fantastic player. The commentators like to go on about his offloads but that's not what's required now.
It's his total dominance over other forwards and leading the way. He's got to roll his sleeves up and give Tomkins a chance.
Cronulla this weekend is an ideal opportunity for Ben Matulino to show the rest of the competition what the Warriors forward pack is really capable of.
They need domination in the forwards and he's the first forward I would pick if I was building a side.
With those two players, I think the Warriors are the dark horses and I still have faith they'll be there when the whips are cracking.
You've got to get on with it now and move all positive steps forward. They're well capable and I'm totally confident they'll make the semifinals.
They haven't got an easy game left but why would they want one? They've got to adopt that cup football mentality.
In the eyes of most Kiwi fans, Manly are the benchmark and they have been for a long time. I think they gave a lesson on what needs to be done but the fantastic thing for me is that it's fixable.
There were two moments on Saturday night which told us just what the NRL means. Johnson's injury was a crushing blow but scoring after the injury shows the toughness and how cruel the game can be.
It also showed the mate-ship and the compassion from other players. There was a fantastic touching moment when Shaun was going down the tunnel and Willie Mason gave him a touch on the chest of encouragement.
It was two fine examples of what rugby league is all about.
