Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend is looking forward to testing himself against his former teammate Shaun Johnson in tonight's NRL clash against the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.
The 27-year-old returns to play at the Penrose ground he called home during a two-year stint with the Warriors (2014-2015) as the Sharkslook to bounce back from their last-start defeat to Brisbane.
Townsend and Johnson developed a strong friendship during their time playing together in the halves, and the Cronulla playmaker says he always enjoys facing off against the Kiwi international.
"I'm really looking forward to it," Townsend told Radio Sport.
"I always enjoy coming up against Shaun. He's one of the most incredible players I've played with or against.
"I really do admire the way he plays and some of the things he can do on the field and training paddock are just insane.
Former teammates Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend celebrate back in 2014. Photo / Photosport.
"He's one of the best players in the world and it's going to be a good chance for me to test myself against him.
"I always enjoy coming back to New Zealand. I had some really good times here and always enjoy playing at Mt Smart so I'm looking forward to it."
The seventh-ranked Sharks arrive having won seven of their past nine games and are full of confidence despite going down 20-16 to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
They face a Warriors outfit hell-bent on securing a third-straight win and desperate to repay their fans after losing their last two games at home against the Roosters and Rabbitohs.
"Our loss to the Broncos could have gone either way, it was a tight game and we only lost by four points," he said.
"But we took a lot out of it with our attack, the way we were throwing the ball around, so we're full of confidence at the moment and we're looking forward to playing the Warriors who have been playing excellent football."
The visitor's already imposing forward pack has been strengthened with the midweek signing of former Bulldogs and Wests Tigers front-rower Aaron Woods, who will make his Sharks debut off the bench.
Townsend in action for the Sharks. Photo / Getty Images.
Townsend expects the former New South Wales and Kangaroo forward to slot in seamlessly within a forward rotation also including Andrew Fifita, Matt Prior and captain Paul Gallen.
"He's a big body and he had that experience having played a heap of NRL games and State of Origin and Australian games.
"We just want him to really back himself and just focus on playing well each week. We're super happy to have him and looking forward to playing with him."
The Sharks are unsure of what to expect from the Warriors who have named a seven-man extended bench after a disrupted preparation following last week's stand-alone representative round.
The Warriors last night retained Kiwi stars Issac Luke and Peta Hiku on an extended bench, although left wing Ken Maumalo has been scratched after impressing on debut in New Zealand's 36-18 test defeat to England in Denver.
"We still have no idea (of what to expect)," said Townsend. "They could roll out any team on the back of a disjointed preparation. But no matter what team they roll out they'll be hard to beat."
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu'a 3. Anthony Gelling 4. Solomone Kata 5. Gerard Beale 6. Blake Green 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Karl Lawton 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Tohu Harris 13. Simon Mannering Interchange: 14. Sam Cook 15. Chris Satae 16.Bunty Afoa 17. Jazz Tevaga 21. Sam Lisone 23. Peta Hiku 24. Issac Luke
Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Ricky Leutele 5. Edrick Lee 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Scott Sorensen 13. Paul Gallen Interchange: 14. Joseph Paulo 15. James Segeyaro 16. Aaron Woods 17. Jayson Bukuya 18. Aaron Gray 19. Ava Seumanufagai
Referees: Adam Gee, Chris Butler
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