NRL: Johnson rejects 'same old' criticism after poor showing

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson is unconcerned about criticism of his performance. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors halfback says fans are quick to comment on good and bad performances.

The NRL season has just started but it already feels like Shaun Johnson has had enough.

Not of the sport, nor his team, but of the reaction to his performances in a Warriors jersey - good or bad.

Johnson was widely criticised for his performance last week, when the Warriors lost 24-14 to Newcastle.

The halfback struggled to stamp his mark on the second half as the Auckland team lost structure and momentum - but it's hardly a terminal situation.

"That is what has amused me about everything that has come out about me and the team already," said Johnson. "People are labelling us 'same old Warriors', but it's just talk. The group that we have got here, we know we have come a long way. It's one game and we did a lot of good things in that game."

Johnson's performance last week attracted the most ire. The halfback, who won the Golden Boot for the world's best player last year, was painted as the main reason for the Warriors' woes on the Central coast.

"It's all talk," said Johnson. "It fluctuates. People are quick to pump you up [and] quick to cut you down. I see it, I read it, I get tweeted it. I'm well aware of it but it was the same when they were saying good things about me.

You are only as good as your last game, I understand that. I didn't think I was the world's best player at the end of last year and I don't think I am now. Do I think I am way off where I was at the end of last year? No, not at all. There were areas in my game [last week] that were a lot better than what I was doing [in 2014]."

Johnson tends to polarise people. For many he is the local boy made good, an excitement machine and the single biggest key to the Warriors' continuing success. For others, though, the gulf between his precocious ability and his consistency remains too big. He stands out some times, but needs to stand up more often. But whatever you might think of Johnson, you can't fault his honesty. Other players might hide behind cliches or abstract phrases, but not Johnson. He fronts up whatever the occasion, and candidly pinpointed his round one failings.

"As the playmaker I lost my composure, I lost control of the game, it was pretty disappointing," said Johnson. "We felt frantic, we felt a bit panicked at times in the second half.

"If I had just stood up and said 'calm down, hold the ball' ... it's not hard to do, it's just recognising when to do it."

Johnson also needs to strike the balance between involvement and impact. He is never going to be like Cooper Cronk, who touches the ball on almost every play for the Storm, but needs to be more prominent in possession this week.

"I don't want to touch the ball just for the sake of it," said Johnson. "I need to be scanning, looking for opportunities. I've got Sammy [Tomkins], Chad [Townsend], Tommy [Leuluai] and Friendy that can control just like I do."

The Warriors have worked hard this week on their composure and Johnson is focused on delivering more high-percentage plays. The return of Tomkins will help, as the Englishman adds another dimension with his play making skills and elusiveness on the edge of the ruck.

But tomorrow is a big test. The Warriors have won just once in Canberra since 2002 and face a resurgent Raiders side, bolstered by the off-season signings of Sisa Waqa, Sia Soliola and Frank-Paul Nuuausala.

"We can't be hung up on last week," said Johnson. "Canberra is a tough place to win, but if we play well and get a result people are quick to change their mind."