The New Zealand Warriors’ season hangs in the balance ahead of their elimination final clash with the Newcastle Knights on Saturday afternoon.
After missing the qualifying final clash last week, Warriors’ star Shaun Johnson has been named to return for the do-or-die matchup.
Johnson has been suffering from a calf concern that was initially seen as a setback that could see him sit out for the remainder of the season.
Despite being named in the starting squad, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio admitted he isn’t completely sold that Johnson will feature at all this weekend.
“You know I’m not afraid to declare something but I’m just not comfortable just yet (to confirm he’s starting),” Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“They’ve got a final captain’s run on Friday, I need to get to Friday to declare him a starter and I’ll tell you why.
“All my conversations with the Warriors last week were, ‘Look we’re going to rest him for this game because he’s going to be fine for next week, it’s all very precautionary’.
“Then my conversations with the Warriors yesterday, they certainly weren’t declaring him no good thing, there just wasn’t that element of positivity that I had last weekend.”
Riccio continued with his concerns for the Warriors' chances without Johnson leading the way and how crucial Friday’s training session will be for his return.
“I didn’t think that Shaun Johnson would be absolutely flying yesterday, there’s no reason for him to be doing that, I think Friday is when Shaun Johnson needs to be doing everything as far as the team’s training session is concerned,” Riccio added.
“Honestly, without Shaun Johnson the Warriors can’t win, that’s where we’re at right now.
“Shaun Johnson has to play, there’s no other way around, they need to roll the dice on it and they just need to have cover on the bench in case he pulls up sore during the game.”
The Warriors host the Knights on Saturday afternoon at Go Media Stadium, with the winner earning a match-up with the Brisbane Broncos next week.