top of page

Warriors give Johnson a winning send-off

Updated: Sep 1

Shaun Johnson finished his NRL and New Zealand Warriors career with a fitting finish, a 30-28 over Cronulla
A fitting finish to his NRL and NZ Warriors career for Shaun Johnson with a late win over Cronulla. PHOTO: NRL

Shaun Johnson finished his NRL and NZ Warriors career with a fitting finish by sending a pass to Dallin Watene-Zalezniak to score and grab a 30-28 over Cronulla.


It was a spectacular comeback from a four-try pounding in the first half to stun the Sharks with 22 unanswered points in the second spell.


LATEST HEADLINES:


Johnson completed his 14-year stint turned on the style for the opening try as he confused the Sharks' defence with a jinking dart before throwing a beautiful ball to his halves partner Luke Metcalf to streak away and score.


Cronulla struck back as Braydon Trindall put it on a platter for Teig Wilton to bust though a hole unhindered followed by Kayal Iro, Sam Stonestreet and Tom Hazleton all crossing to take a 22-6 score to halftime.


However the Warriors came back in the second half to put Watene-Zalezniak away in the corner and then he crossed again for his 100th career try.


To add even more spice to the game both Watene Zalezniak and Jazz Tevga were on the receiving end of high and late shots.


As Watene-Zalezniak copped another high shot a scuffle eventuated and Iro was sent to the bin before Johnson and Taine Tuapiki combined to put Charnze Nicholl-Klokstay over.


Marcello Montoya charged over in the left corner as the one man advantage was dearly costing the Sharks.


Johnson was successful with the sideline conversion as the Warriors went ahead 26-22.


The Sharks were back in the game through a try to Sam Stonestreet, before Trindall converted to take the lead 28-26.


Metcalf had a two-point field goal attempt, and though the distance was good, the direction was not.


Then in the final seconds and on the fifth play Johnson threw a pinpoint wide pass to his wing Watene-Zalezniak to dot down for his hat-trick and a stunning victory.


The Warriors season is now over with Las Vegas the next stop in 2025.

.

Warriors 30 (Watene-Zalezniak 3, Metcalf, Nicoll-Klokstad, Montoya, tries, Johnson 3 goals)

Sharks 28 (Stonestreet 2, Wilton, Iro, Hazelton, tries, Trindall, 4 goals)

Comments


bottom of page