Shaun Johnson retirement: Warriors halfback to hang up boots at end of NRL season

Shaun Johnson has announced his NRL retirement. Photo / Photosport

Shaun Johnson will bring the curtain down on his NRL career at the end of the 2024 season.

It will bring an end to a 14-year career in the competition for the NZ Warriors’ halfback, spanning stints with the Warriors and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

Johnson, who will turn 34 next month, informed his teammates of his decision earlier today before publicly announcing his decision this evening.

“This is a decision that I’ve sat with for a while now and one I’m probably still coming to terms with,” he said.

“It’s obviously still very raw but I’m so grateful to the club and to you boys who I get to come into work with every day with a smile on my face. I have never taken any of it for granted.

“The job (this season) is not over, so let’s rip in and get back to doing what we do, but I just wanted to let you all know first that at the end of the season, that will be me [done].”

Johnson has been an integral part of the Warriors for much of his career since debuting in 2011 and helping the side to a Grand Final appearance in the same year.

He left the club at the end of 2018 to link up with the Sydney-based Sharks for three years, but during his time in Cronulla, he never really fulfilled his potential, with injuries limiting his impact.

He was limited to fewer than 20 appearances in each of his three seasons with the club, and returned to the Warriors in 2022.

The 2022 season was perhaps a sign of things to come as Johnson played in 20 games for the first season since the Warriors’ 2016 campaign.

In 2023, he had arguably the best season of his career as he finished as runner-up for the Dally M medal - leading the Warriors to their first playoff appearance since 2018.

This season has been an on-and-off one for the veteran half, though, limited to just 13 appearances from the Warriors’ 20 games.

The announcement comes after Johnson’s return from a six-week stint on the sidelines due to an Achilles injury in last weekend’s loss to the Parramatta Eels.

Johnson’s impact goes beyond his performances on the football field, however, with his off-the-cuff style of play - particularly seen early in his career - that earned him the nickname Magic Johnson (not to be confused with the NBA great) inspiring the next generation.

“There’s an entire generation of kids in this country who picked up a rugby league ball because of Shaun Johnson,” Warriors chief executive Cameron George said.

“His impact on not only this club but also rugby league in New Zealand is something that will be remembered here forever.

“As talented and amazing as Shaun has been as a player, as a person he’s made just as big an impact here at the Warriors through the years.”

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.