Spy: Broken Shaun is still on cloud Nines

Shaun Johnson of the Warriors reacts after suffering an ankle injury. Photo / Getty Images

Shaun Johnson hasn't let his season-ending leg injury stop him from being one of the faces of the 2016 Dick Smith Auckland Nines.

The Warriors hunk - who broke his left leg last month - battled the pain barrier, and the cold, to front up for a promotional shoot at Eden Park last Sunday. Footage from the shoot, plus other clips of Storm star Billy Slater in Melbourne and league great Mal Meninga in Queensland, will feature in the soon-to-be-released TV promo for the February 6-7 tournament.

Johnson spent the day at Eden Park with a bunch of enthusiastic footy fans.

The cast on his leg was removed on Wednesday but it was still a nagging companion for him during the shoot.

But Johnson was still in great spirits and ecstatic to be out of the house. His mood improved further when a wheelchair was found for him mid-shoot, allowing him to put down the crutches and move about the Eden Park concourse.

Wearing shorts and initially nothing covering the toes on his left foot, his pinkies were so cold in the chilly weather that a horse head hat was used as a toe warmer. When that disappeared, a purple, curly wig was put on his foot as a sock.

Billy Slater promotes the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines. Photo / Supplied

Mal Meninga promotes the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines. Photo / Supplied

Johnson told Spy: "I love the Nines, especially the colour and passion of the fans who come out to support us.

"The noise from our Warriors fans in the stadium when we run on to the field is like nothing I've experienced before."

Former Warriors' player and Maori Television presenter Wairangi Koopu even took off his shirt in the Arctic conditions. Thanks, Wai! We are happy to see he's still in tip-top shape and looking forward to being part of the Nines next year.