League: Warriors receive tips from the master

Warriors wing Manu Vatuvei (left) receives some advice from former champion Andrew Johns at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday. Photo / Dean Purcell

He has been credited with adding the polish to Manly's premiership-winning halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans, now Andrew Johns has turned his attention to the likes of young Warriors stars Shaun Johnson, James Maloney and Pita Godinet.

The former Newcastle, New South Wales and Kangaroos superstar halfback turned freelance coach is in Auckland for four days helping to hone the skills of the young Warriors playmakers.

It is the first of two visits from Johns, who has previously filled a similar role with Manly and has been recently linked with an appointment to the Bulldogs' coaching staff.

With the defeated grand finalists' pre-season training having so far revolved around gut-busting conditioning, the chance to do skills work with Johns had been well-received, coach Brian McClennan said.

"It's a massive boost for the players," he said.

"As coaches we want to do the best we can for the players - and having Andrew Johns here is certainly doing that."

Johns is working primarily with the halves, hookers and fullbacks on fundamental skills. He will return for another four-day stint in January, when the full squad is assembled.