LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Shaun Johnson, once the star player for the New Zealand Warriors, is now being seen as a hindrance to the team's success.
Despite his strong performance in the 2023 campaign that led the Warriors to the preliminary final, Johnson has not been able to replicate that success this season.
Under coach Andrew Webster for the second season, the Warriors are facing familiar issues of inconsistency that have haunted the team for years.
Following a recent loss to the Parramatta Eels, their chances of making it to the finals are looking grim.
With only 8 wins out of 20 games so far, the Warriors would need a flawless performance in their remaining matches to reach the typical 12-win mark required for finals contention.
Even with an extra point for a bye, the odds are stacked against them making a late surge.
Upcoming tough away games against the Dolphins and Manly Sea Eagles, followed by hosting the Canterbury Bulldogs and facing the Cronulla Sharks, make for a challenging run to the season's end.
It's clear that the Warriors need to shake things up in order to turn their season around.