Newcastle Knights Adam O'Brien doesn't think his NZ Warriors counterparts are employing 'mind games' over the availability of star playmaker Shaun Johnson for their NRL playoff clash at Mt Smart.
Johnson, 33, was a late withdrawal from the Warriors' postseason loss to Penrith Panthers with a calf injury last weekend and has seemingly not seriously tested the niggle at training this week, with a do-or-die fixture looming.
Coach Andrew Webster remains optimistic about his veteran's health, declaring himself "confident" Johnson will tick all the boxes to take the field, but the mixed messages have kept everyone guessing.
O'Brien isn't getting distracted by the shell game taking place in the opposition camp.
"I think they're probably doing what I'd be doing and giving a quality player as much time as you possibly can to get ready," he said. "He hasn't done a hell of a lot of training, so it's not an easy decision for them.
"You're running the risk, if he does potentially play and breaks down early, that affects a lot. I was in a similar situation last week, so I understand what they're doing and I don't think it's necessarily to play mind games with us."
O'Brien has had to nurse his own superstar, Kalyn Ponga, through a season fraught with injury, including a shoulder complaint that put him doubt for last week's elimination showdown against Canberra Raiders.
Ponga shrugged off a heavy, high tackle in the dying moments of extra time to slot the winning penalty and help his team through to this stage.
"As I said, I had a similar situation last week and you take your advice from the medical people, first and foremost, because they are the ones that are the experts, but the experience players - like Shaun and like Kayln last week - they know what they're capable of.
"No-one wants to let their team down - they're selfless and want to put their team first. You've got to put some trust in your player."
O'Brien seemed headed for the axe mid-season, as his team struggled outside playoff contention, but a 10-game winning streak has transformed them into the competition's hottest team.
He has no illusions over what his player should expect from a soldout Go Media Stadium crowd on Saturday.
"They'll walk into a great atmosphere, I know that," he said. "The guys would rather play in front of a packed stadium than three people in the stands.
"We'll embrace that part, we understand that there will be a lot of support from the opposing team, but our guys will handle it. We've had some practice over the past three weeks of playing in packed stadiums and handling the occasion."
Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium produces a very similar atmosphere to Mt Smart, with parochial home fans baying for opposition blood.
"You feel that support, but with that comes a little bit of result anxiety too," said O'Brien. "You want to make sure you're getting it done for them.
"Ultimately, I think it's great. The people here were starved of footy and the club did an amazing job during COVID to keep our competition going - it was very selfless.
"I guess this is their way of giving back to the community, so that's a good part of their story."
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