Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.
League

News

Johns upskills Warriors

Johns upskills Warriors

12/06/2011 08:56:44 PM

One the game's greatest players, Andrew Johns, is donning Warriors colours this week in his role as a skills coach with the club's NRL players.

Johns, rated as one of the finest halfbacks of all-time, has been in Auckland since the start of the week and is signed to the Warriors as their skills coach for the 2012 season.

The 37-year-old has mainly been working with the halves, fullbacks and hookers and sees something special amongst the ranks at Mt Smart.

"I've been blown away by what I've seen among the young players this week. The potential is immense but I stress it’s potential," he said.

"I'm a big fan of the Under-20s competition and like to get to the ground early to watch the games. I love watching the Warriors because they play a style of football that's good to watch.

"It's a credit to (Under-20s coach) John (Ackland), the way he prepares the team.

"Some of the young guys at the club are, athletically, without peer. They're just so big and really there's no position for a lot of them. It's just a case of give them the ball and let them play."

One player in particular Johns has huge raps on, and has since his early days in the Under-20s two years ago, is halfback Shaun Johnson.

Johns tipped Johnson, then a whippet-thin No.7 plucked out of touch football, to become a star of the future.

The 21-year-old has already made good on that prediction, producing a number of outstanding performances in his rookie NRL season on the way to the grand final and also being picked for the Kiwis' end-of-season tour.

"There are some people who play sport who have been given a gift and he's one of the lucky ones," Johns said of Johnson.

"But I come back to that word potential. I've been really impressed with the way he has been working and hopefully Shaun realises he's very lucky and makes the most of the talent he has been given."

After this week, Johns will return in the New Year for another seven days and will also be utilized during the season.

He has similar contracts with the Bulldogs, Titans and Storm along with the Melbourne Rebels in the Super 15.

Meanwhile, Warriors five-eighth James Maloney is due to face the media after noon on Wednesday and is expected to face an interrogation over his playing future.

Maloney is joining the Roosters from 2013 but rumours are swirling that he is seeking an early release from his Warriors contract to join the Sydney-based side a year earlier.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

You Might Also Like

Most Read Articles

Cold tyres almost cost Webber dearly
Cold tyres almost cost Webber dearly
Motorsport
05/27/2012 10:46:36 PM
Monaco Grand Prix winner Mark Webber described the end of Sunday's race as 'very strange' ...
 
 
Yakubu set to leave Blackburn
Football
05/28/2012 09:00:45 AM
 
Freo's failure comes down to talent
AFL
05/27/2012 11:02:27 PM
 
Leilua charged and stood down
League
05/28/2012 04:01:25 AM
 
Italian players in match-fixing claim
Football
05/28/2012 07:34:22 AM
 
Sea Eagles to accept Matai's ban
League
05/28/2012 05:41:32 AM
 
Bombers look to set up season
AFL
05/28/2012 01:41:21 AM
 
Gritty Tigers do Sheens proud
League
05/27/2012 10:01:48 PM
 
 
 

Fantasy NRL: Most Popular Players

Our Say

NRL Round 12 talking points
Adam Lucius
Given his appalling judiciary record, Steve Matai can consider himself very lucky not to ...more
Jonathan Healy
Title slipping away from Broncos
Jonathan Healy
The Brisbane Broncos are currently in a form slump and they can't win the premiership ...more
 

Galleries

The Weekend That Was
28/05/2012 1:40:06 PM
Take a look back at all the weekend sport from around the world. We have it all covered from AFL to Baseball to Barefoot Running and even some Sailing. So take some time off and look back at what you might have missed.
NRL- The Year So Far
7/05/2012 11:30:06 AM
The NRL season is off to a flying start. Melbourne Storm are 9-0, the Cowboys are one of the highest scoring teams and the Eels are in need of a win or 3. So let’s look at the best photos of the first 9 rounds. Sit back , take some time off and enjoy.