Stephen Kearney makes no guarantees Shaun Johnson will play at Auckland Nines

Shaun Johnson
Shaun Johnson at last year's Nines tournament (Getty image)

He may be one the most anticipated stars at this year's Auckland Nines, but new Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has made no guarantees Shaun Johnson will play in the February tournament.

Kearney took over the Warriors at the conclusion of the 2016 NRL season, and while he's hoping to make an impact straight away, the Nines isn't a priority for the 44-year-old.

"I need to make sure our priority is the NRL competition," Kearney told Trackside Radio on Saturday morning.

"I won't be taking any risk in terms of picking players that are a risk, particularly in Nines footy."

Shaun Johnson was among a handful of Warriors given an extended holiday period after being selected for the Kiwis Four Nations campaign in England back in October, only returning to the team last week.

Kearney said these players were ones considered to be at risk and would be monitored very closely.

"[Johnson's fit] at the moment but he's been back for four days.

"Three weeks' time the tournament is on, so how they pull up over the next week, two weeks, is an important part of the process of the selection criteria for those guys."

The Nines is a faster, shortened form of the 13-man game and is set to feature some of the best players in the game.

Kearney suggested that instead of testing the players currently seen to be at risk, he may use it to blood some of the club's younger talent.

"We might get an opportunity to see some young talent that we have at the club, so I'm excited at that prospect."

As for the wider team, Kearney said since Kieran Foran's arrival at Mt Smart Stadium, he'd been mightily impressed by not only the 26-year-old's integration into the side but his intestinal fortitude.

However said there was still no indication of when he'd be available.

"He's dealing with it wonderfully well. He's been integrating with the boys really well.

"He seems like he's in a really good spot at the minute, I think he's like everyone, just waiting for some clarity on where it sits for him."

Newshub.