LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
Three New Zealand Warriors players have been honored by the Rugby League Players' Association, with two of them being finalists for the prestigious Players' Champion award.
The 33-year-old Shaun Johnson, who recently won all three player awards at the Warriors' 2023 awards, has been selected as the halfback in the Dream Team and is also a finalist for the Players' Champion alongside his teammate Addin Fonua-Blake.
Fonua-Blake, who has been outstanding this season, has been chosen as one of the props in the Dream Team.
Additionally, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been selected as one of the two wingers in the Dream Team.
Both the Dream Team and the Players' Champion are voted on by the players themselves, making this recognition even more significant for Johnson, Fonua-Blake, and Watene-Zelezniak.
Other players who would have received strong support from their peers include Tohu Harris, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, and Wayde Egan, who play as loose forward, fullback, and hooker respectively.
Interestingly, all five finalists for the Players' Champion award come from either the Warriors or the Broncos, with Johnson and Fonua-Blake being joined by Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds, and Payne Haas from Brisbane.