Shaun Johnson on Vodafone Warriors' extended bench for Brisbane clash

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Thu 31 Mar 2022, 05:30 AM

Vodafone Warriors head coach Nathan Brown rates halfback Shaun Johnson "more likely than unlikely" to return from injury in Saturday's fourth-round encounter with the Brisbane Broncos at Moreton Daily Stadium (2.00pm kick-off local time; 5.00pm NZT).

The 31-year-old was named on the club's extended bench in jersey #24 on Tuesday showing his recovery from a first-round pectoral strain is well on track.

Johnson trained with the squad on Monday and again in full team session yesterday.

"It's just a matter of ticking a couple of boxes," said Brown.

"All the signs look like he could play. He's much more likely to play than unlikely, to be honest."

With the experienced Ash Taylor also on the injury list, Brown has named Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita as the starting halves.

They became the third different halves duo in three rounds when they teamed up in last Friday night’s gritty 16-12 win over the Wests Tigers, the first time they had been used as a starting combination since June last year.

There’s only one change to the 17 fielded against the Tigers with second rower Bayley Sironen ruled out (Covid) and Jack Murchie promoted from 18th man.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Saturday 2 Apr

Full Time

Warriors

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tesi Niu
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
Centre for Warriors is number 2 Adam Pompey

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Jesse Arthars

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Warriors is number 25 Edward Kosi

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Albert Kelly
Halfback for Warriors is number 24 Shaun Johnson

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matthew Lodge

Prop for Broncos is number 14 Thomas Flegler
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Keenan Palasia
2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Josh Curran

2nd Row for Broncos is number 16 Teui Robati
Lock for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 7 Kodi Nikorima

Interchange for Broncos is number 8 Ryan James
Interchange for Warriors is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe Hetherington
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Billy Walters
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Interchange for Broncos is number 23 Brenko Lee

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 17 Jack Murchie

Replacement for Broncos is number 20 Corey Jensen

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:46:57 AM

The team named features the same starting pack for the third week on end.

With Matt Lodge recovered from the illness that severely limited his involvement against the Titans, he and fellow front rower Addin Fonua-Blake kept the Vodafone Warriors rolling up the middle of the park; Fonua-Blake made 150 metres from 15 carries, the third time he has made 150 or more metres this season, while Lodge was only fractionally behind with 148 from 18. They backed it up with their defensive work, Fonua-Blake with 27 tackles, Lodge with 27.

Consistent yet again was loose forward Josh Curran with 141 metres from 15 runs and 28 tackles, landing him two more Dally M points.

The Vodafone Warriors’ forward rotation was adversely affected by a cut eye which reduced second rower Eliesa Katoa to just 30 minutes but Katoa is fully recovered to face up to the Broncos.

The first game at the Vodafone Warriors’ 2022 home ground Moreton Daily Stadium gives the area a foretaste of a Brisbane derby ahead of the Dolphins joining the NRL next year.

The Broncos face a short trip north to face a Vodafone Warriors side including one of their own in centre Jesse Arthars, who’s on loan this season.

Lodge is another ex-Bronco, having joined the Vodafone Warriors last year after playing 65 times for Brisbane from 2018-2021 while fullback Reece Walsh was in the Broncos’ system before he was signed early last season.

Yet another former Bronco is halfback Kodi Nikorima, who played 86 games for Brisbane from 2015-2019.