Tigers coach Tim Sheens has confirmed the membership’s curiosity in Warriors star Shaun Johnson for 2024 as they try to alleviate a scarcity of their halfback shares.
The pair of Luke Brooks and Brandon Wakeham led the Tigers to an upset win in opposition to Penrith final week to kickstart their season, and Sheens stated they’ll be given each probability to kind a robust mixture this 12 months.
However, Sheens admitted the membership is in a marketplace for one other half subsequent season as Adam Doueihi’s third ACL damage is more likely to hold him sidelined for a giant chunk of 2024.
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New Zealand Warriors Press Conference | 06:29
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“Shaun Johnson has been discussed but that’s because we’ve lost Adam,” Sheens stated at a membership press convention on Saturday.
“We are down to two halfbacks of first-grade calibre. We aren’t talking about this year but I don’t think Adam will play much next year just quietly.
“Hopefully that isn’t the case, but we can’t count on him for next year.
Johnson, who is playing some of his best footy in recent years for the overachieving Warriors this season, is off contract at the end of 2023.
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It’s unclear whether the 32-year-old would be keen to join a rebuilding side like the Tigers, but Sheens has made no secret that he and the club are interesting in linking up with a player of Johnson’s ilk.
“We are looking for a short-term fix for that … We’ve got to recruit again for that position.
“He’s off contract. It’s only in the preliminary stages at the moment, whether he leaves New Zealand is another thing.
“It’s only one of a few discussions we’ve got planned to be quite honest.”
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Warriors coach Andrew Webster was requested in regards to the Tigers’ curiosity following his facet’s loss to the Panthers on Saturday.
Webster isn’t “crossing that bridge” but with regard to extension talks however shared he and Johnson have a “really good relationship.”
But he prefers to maintain roster speak behind closed doorways.
“Shaun and I have got a really good relationship so when the time comes for that to be brought up we’ll sit down and have a good discussion,” Webster stated.
“I’ve got a good dialogue with Shaun around how that looks like at some stage but we’re not crossing that bridge (yet).
“I think as well that keeping recruitment — and especially retention — out of the media is always really important. Keep it between the player and us.
“I understand there’s going to be speculation but I won’t be diving into that. All I can say is Shaun and I get on great so we’ll work that out.”
The Tigers shall be aiming to make it two on the trot once they conflict with the Dragons on Sunday.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au