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Warriors playmaker shines as Harris, reserves put on a clinic against Cowboys

2 years ago

The Shaun Johnson of old is back for the New Zealand Warriors, according to former coach Tony Kemp.

Johnson, 32, was instrumental in the Warriors’ 26-12 victory over North Queensland on Saturday night, upsetting the Cowboys at their home ground to win their second game of the 2023 season.

With 468 kicking metres, 68 running metres, six points and a 90 per cent tackle rate, Kemp believes the Kiwi playmaker is back to his best alongside halves partner Te Maire Martin and under the guidance of first-year coach Andrew Webster.

“I think we’re seeing Shaun Johnson realising what he can do in the game … at the age that he’s at when he’s got quality players around him,” Kemp told SENZ.

“I talked about Niukore, I talked about Barnett, I talked about Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at the back, when they are on the pitch – and of course you add Te Maire Martin – that speed around him, and Shaun Johnson is starting to give us some trips back down memory lane with when and how he carries that football.

“I thought Shaun Johnson, just the management of the game, was very, very good.”

While Johnson skilfully led the Warriors around the park in their five-try victory, Kemp believes captain Tohu Harris, who brought up his 200th NRL game, and the Warriors’ bench also deserve credit for the upset win.

“Tohu Harris, the unsung hero of this game played 80 minutes in the middle of the park, his 200th game,” Kemp added.

“(He did) what a captain should do and led by example.

“I think across the board they were very good, the boys on the bench especially.

“Dylan Walker, Jazz Tevaga when they came on, Tom Ale and of course (Bayley) Sironen, they all made a difference which is really important up against the Queensland Cowboys that are now desperate under Todd Payten to get some points.”

The milestone match not only marked Harris’ 200th game but also rookie fullback Taine Tuaupiki’s debut NRL match.

With two wins from three games, the Warriors now lie in fourth on the ladder as they head back home to host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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