Rugby League: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's desperate plea to Shaun Johnson

  • 30/11/2018

Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has commented for the first time on Shaun Johnson's sudden departure - and asked one final favour for his former teammate.

The star halfback's time at the club came to an abrupt end on Wednesday, when he was granted immediate release from the final year of his reported million-dollar contract.

The 28-year-old leaves as the Warriors' all-time top pointscorer (915) and sits in the top 10 for most games played with the team (162).

Tuivasa-Sheck's posted a photo of the pair on Instagram, with the caption: "Crazy week! All the best with what's next bro. Been a pleasure. Don't step me."

Johnson replied: "Damn it's gonna be weird playing the boys. Thanks bro, pleasure has been all mine skip."

The latest rumours around Johnson suggest he's set to sign with the Cronulla Sharks, but it is understood the Sharks want to sign him on a long-term deal, not a one-year contract as first reported.

If Johnson goes to the Sharks, Fox Sports pundit Matthew Johns thinks Johnson should play five-eighth with Chad Townsend at halfback, but suggests coach Shane Flanagan could also play him at fullback.

"If I had the opportunity to coach him at the start of his first-grade career, I'd have been tempted to play him at fullback, because he's a brilliant reactive footballer," Johns told Fox Sports.

"But the great news, as far as the Cronulla Sharks, if they're going to sign Shaun Johnson next year, is that the number six and the number one play almost interchangeable roles in the modern game.

"The best teams play that way, where the five-eighth and fullback do a little bit of playmaking and a fair bit of running - they play interchangeable roles.

"I always look at Moylan as more of a fullback than he is a halves player, but he's comfortable playing in the halves and Johnson, as I've said before, could do vice versa."

Newshub.