Is Shaun Johnson playing this weekend? Decision made on Warriors star for NRL semi-final vs. Knights

Liam O'Loughlin

Is Shaun Johnson playing this weekend? Decision made on Warriors star for NRL semi-final vs. Knights image

Shaun Johnson will play in his side's semi-final clash with Newcastle on Saturday afternoon despite the Warriors halfback's recent calf injury.

The 33-year-old was ruled out of last weekend's NRL qualifying final against the Panthers but has been named in the No.7 jumper for the sudden-death fixture in the second week of the finals series. 

Johnson has been in elite form this season under head coach Andrew Webster and is one of the favourites to take out the Dally M Medal, with his absence over the past fortnight leaving a major hole in the Warriors spine.

Dylan Walker slotted into the starting halves role against Penrith last weekend, while young gun Ronald Volkman has also spent time in the lineup sporadically this season.

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Is Shaun Johnson playing for the Warriors?

Johnson has been confirmed to take his place in the side with Webster's side listed 1-17 for their do-or-die match against the Knights. 

The confirmation one hour before kickoff follows a report from 7News' Michelle Bishop, who revealed Johnson "trained well" on Friday morning and would line up for the Warriors in their semi-final.

Earlier in the week, the club revealed he had trained with the squad throughout the lead-up to the must-win clash and had progressed well.

"If we he ticks the boxes tomorrow then he's good to go," Webster said on Thursday. 

"He has just got to do parts of the captain's run. If he can't physically do it, he can't play... at this stage all the signs are that he will physically be able to do it.

"That's why we've gone this far and that's why we're confident he will play."

Shaun Johnson 2023 NRL stats

Games 23
Tries 8
Try Assists 27
Linebreak Assists 24
Offloads 9
Avg. Run Metres 59m
Avg. Kick Metres 516m
Forced Dropouts 22
Avg. Tackles 19
Tackle Efficiency 92%

New Zealand Warriors injury list

PLAYER ISSUE RETURN
Shaun Johnson Calf Finals Week 2
Ali Leiataua Hamstring Indefinite
Luke Metcalf Hamstring 2024
Valingi Kepu Foot 2024

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.