Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has opened up about the importance of teammate Shaun Johnson to his side ahead of their must-win NRL semi-final against Newcastle on Saturday in Auckland.
Johnson tore his calf at training in the days after the Warriors’ Round 26 victory over St George Illawarra late last month and missed last week’s qualifying-final loss to the Panthers.
The 33-year-old halfback came through Friday’s captain’s run unscathed, according to 7NEWS rugby league reporter Michelle Bishop.
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“Johnson trained well this morning and is good to go for tomorrow night’s semi-final against the Knights,” she said.
Watene-Zelezniak, who has scored 21 tries for the Warriors this season, said Johnson brings confidence to the team and he would not play unless he feels like he can offer something to the side against the Knights.
“Shaun is a big part of this team,” Watene-Zelezniak told 7NEWS after training on Friday.
“He is looking well and he is pretty big for us. He brings a lot of confidence. He is always smiling and always upbeat.
“We know that he will do what’s right for himself and for the team. Everyone knows what he has done this year and what he is doing for us and it will be nice to have him.”
Watene-Zelezniak said the semi-final against the Knights is a big occasion for New Zealand with the whole country getting behind the team.
“Up the Wahs” has become the unofficial slogan of September in New Zealand, splashed across the front pages of newspapers and even read out in parliament.
“It (training) was good, it’s been a good week,” Watene-Zelezniak said.
“I’m excited to play tomorrow.
“It’s a massive game. As a New Zealander myself, you always support the Warriors even when you weren’t playing with them.
“To be in the team and play this week in front of our home crowd, it’s pretty special.”
Watene-Zelezniak said if each Warriors player does their role effectively against the Knights, the team will come away with the win.
“We have been focused on our roles,” Watene-Zelezniak said.
“I think that’s our team, we focus on our roles and if we get those things right, it goes a long way to winning the game.
“It will be nice to get some ball out wide.
“If we all do our role and stick to Webby’s (Warriors coach Andrew Webster) game plan, then we will win the game.”
The Warriors will start as favourites against the Knights, with the winner to face the Broncos in a preliminary final next week in Brisbane.
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