Warriors head coach Andrew Webster is confident Shaun Johnson will stay at the club next season after the veteran halfback rejected an offer by the Sydney Roosters.
“Shaun told me if he’s going to play anywhere in the NRL, it’s going to be here,” said Webster.
Johnson, 33, is off contract for the Warriors at the end of the season and the halfback is in ongoing discussions with the club about a contract extension.
Webster said he’s been having conversations with Johnson about his future ever since he joined the club, and said he is comfortable with where the future lies for him.
Johnson is still recovering from a pectoral injury and will miss this weekend’s match against the Dolphins but is expected to return to the side after the Warriors bye next week.
The Warriors picked up their first win since round five as they edged a 22-20 win over defending premiers the Penrith Panthers in Brisbane.
"We didn’t have any weight on our shoulders in the week leading up to the game," said Webster.
The Warriors had a weakened squad in their upset win but will receive four reinforcements for their first match at Mt Smart Stadium since the Anzac Day defeat to the Gold Coast Titans.
Rocco Berry returns to the starting side from a hand injury alongside Freddy Lussick who is returning from a concussion he sustained in the round 10 clash with the Roosters.
Marata Niukore joins the interchange and Chanel Harris-Tavita also returns to the wider squad.
The Warriors will be without hooker Wayde Egan and centre Ali Leiataua who both picked up injuries in the Panthers match.
These two join the growing list of players who are sidelined due to injury, with the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tohu Harris, Kurt Capewell and Luke Metcalf in recovery.
With Harris and Egan out this week, Mitch Barnett has been handed the captaincy role for the first time and will lead the side out at Mt Smart Stadium this Sunday.
"I'm not used to that one but it's an honour and a privilege," said Barnett.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will have the opportunity to reprise his role at five-eight alongside Te Maire Martin at halfback who both put in strong showings in Brisbane.
Rookie fullback Taine Tuaupiki scored and converted the winning try in Magic Round and has earned another start in the number one jersey this week.
Warriors squad to play the Dolphins at Mt Smart Stadium this Sunday, kick off 6:05pm
Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Rocco Berry, Adam Pompey, Marcelo Montoya, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Te Maire Martin, Addin Fonua-Blake, Freddy Lussick, Bunty Afoa, Jackson Ford, Mitchell Barnett, Dylan Walker.
Interchange: Tom Ale, Jazz Tevaga, Jacob Laban, Marata Niukore.
SHARE ME