Shaun Johnson's impact at the Cronulla Sharks is starting to tell, with the former Warriors' halfback taking the kicking duties from halves partner Chad Townsend.
Having signed for the Sharks after a messy exit from the Warriors, Kiwis halfback Johnson's 2019 NRL season is one of the most anticipated stories of the new year.
Reuniting with Johnson after two seasons with the Warriors, Townsend says that he's happy to hand over the kicking tee to his high profile halves partner.
"Shaun will start with the goalkicking," Townsend told the NRL website.
"I'll be back-up, and that's fine with me. I'm team first but if the coaching staff want me to come in and take a shot now and then, I'm totally fine with that."
The stats certainly appear to be in Johnson's favour, having kicked 61 from 80 attempts in 2018, a success rate of 76.2 per cent, while Townsend's 62 from 84 falls just short of that at 73.8 per cent.
Having played nearly his whole Sharks career at halfback, Townsend is expected to keep hold of the number seven jersey, with Johnson shifting to five-eighth.
The Sharks begin their 2019 NRL season against the Newcastle Knights on March 15.
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