Having suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Saturday’s loss to the Vodafone Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium, Titans debutant Karl Lawton has revealed he received a message of support from star halfback Shaun Johnson who suffered a similar injury on the same ground last year.
In the 46th minute of the game, Lawton’s leg was caught awkwardly in a tackle while taking a run from dummy half.
The game was halted for some time while medical staff attended to him. Both Johnson and Vodafone Warriors hooker Issac Luke shook Lawton’s hand as he was taken from the field in a medi cab.
Lawton has since spoken about how inspired he was by Johnson’s message of support.
“I just want to thank Shaun Johnson for sending me a message after the game… just saying how I’m feeling and if I’m still in New Zealand,” said Lawton.
“I thought that was the best thing in the world. I just said that it was a privilege playing against him and all the best for the rest of the season.
“I thought that was just brilliant. A true show of character right there.”
A true show of respect from both players. Vodafone Warriors players and staff wish Karl a speedy recovery.
Karl Lawton revealed lovely best wishes text from Shaun Johnson, the Warriors trump who suffered similar leg injury. #respect
— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) July 4, 2016
