A win for the ages needs an interview for the ages and a beaming Shaun Johnson has delivered just that for the resurgent New Zealand Warriors.
The NRL’s only club from across the ditch saved the code by making huge sacrifices during the Covid pandemic, isolating themselves from family and friends as the club based itself in Australia.
League officials did the team no favours in scheduling either, with just one of the club’s first six games in 2023 based in New Zealand.
But the Warriors have defied expectations to win four of their opening five matches to sit second on the NRL ladder.
That includes the classic, get-out-of-jail effort against Cronulla on Sunday that saw the Warriors rally from 20-0 down to win 32-30 off Johnson’s boot.
The veteran halfback returned to the Warriors after being cut by the Sharks in favour of Nicho Hynes and appears to be loving life back in his home country.
When Fox Sports’ Jake Duke gathered him in for an interview after the match, Johnson delivered one of the greatest footy interviews ever – even though the halfback walked off to congratulate his teammates several times.
‘That was off its head, off its head, we spoke about it at halftime, do we actually believe we can come out and do it?’ Johnson said.
‘We said some funny s**t at halftime, bro, we were like, “What a story it would be, we will tell out grandkids about this one day, lads, just go out and have a crack”‘.
‘And I thought we just, f***, man, we are just so resilient, I love being a part of it and it is just such a good feeling.
‘Obviously so much to like, so much to not like, but at the end of the day, when you come here, they are a good side, bro, they are a good side and just what a feeling.’
A beaming Johnson had no filter when he was interviewed after winning the game for the Warriors against the Cronulla Sharks
Johnson regularly broke off from the interview to celebrate with teammates and officials who wanted to congratulate him
While Johnson said it was a great feeling to get a win over the club that cut him, he said there was no spite.
In fact, he said the time spent under former Cronulla coach John Morris had prepared him for his big moment on Sunday.
‘You know what’s funny, this is exactly what I was thinking, we used to do pre-season here, John Morris used to make me kick goals at the end of a solid training session,’ Johnson explained.
‘He’d say “if you get it, the boys are done for today” and he’d make me kick them from the sideline while all the boys were watching me.
‘It actually took me back to that moment, I’ve kicked so many goals out here so to get one go over in the dying minutes, what a feeling.’
Johnson kicks the winning penalty for the New Zealand Warriors after the club had trailed 20-0 earlier in the contest
Teammates mob Johnson to congratulate him for his heroics after the Warriors seemed dead and buried in their round four NRL match against Cronulla
Warriors fans are loving their rejuvenated halfback.
‘I can’t remember ever seeing him that high on life lovin’ it for a long time ay. Great signs for the Warriors,’ one posted.
‘When he was smiling after he scored that try it was over he is the new smiling assassin,’ said another.
‘Well up my list of NRL players I’d want to have a beer with,’ admitted a thrilled supporter.
‘Belief, resilience and trust in your teammates, that’s what I saw today, amazing game. Boys are getting more and more confident every game. Proud supporters today,’ added another.