Warriors: Harris backs Johnson - 'We must all be accountable'

Tonight presents a chance for Shaun Johnson to further silence his doubters.

The heat is on halfback Shaun Johnson to spark the Warriors attack but Tohu Harris says it's up to all of their senior players to stand and deliver in tonight's NRL finals clash against Penrith at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed his best season since 2015 but goes into the Warriors' first finals campaign since his stunning debut season of 2011 as the player under the most pressure to perform.

The Kiwi international's match-winning talents remain unrivalled but over the years the 2014 Golden Boot winner has struggled to shake off criticism of his perceived inability to control a game during crucial stages.

The arrival this season of new Warriors five-eighth Blake Green has made life easier for the mercurial No7, who has been left to focus on injecting himself into the attack while his halves partner takes charge of organising the team.

With Green out of action with a calf injury over the past fortnight, Johnson has also shown his improved ability to juggle the responsibilities of conductor and livewire while guiding the side to contrasting victories over Penrith and Canberra.

Tonight presents a chance for Johnson to further silence his doubters and push the Warriors deeper into the title race.

But Harris insists the result won't hinge solely on his right-edge partner in crime and believes the rest of the side's leaders must share the load and help them find their best form in their most important match of the year so far.

The former Storm premiership winner knows all about what it takes to succeed in the business end of the season, having experienced defeat to the Sharks in the 2016 decider before starring in last year's grand final victory over the Cowboys.

"We need everyone to stand up, really," said Harris.

"Shaun's obviously got a big role to play for us being in the halves with Greeny but it's not solely on their shoulders.

"Everyone has got to stand up because if someone's not doing their job then other people have to make up for what we're missing, so we all have a role to play.

"Everyone needs to step up that extra level because that's what finals are about. It's a new competition, it's more intense, it's that extra level that you have to go to and in order to be successful in finals that's what the team right across the park needs to do."

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney trusts Johnson's ability to handle the occasion and is certain he and Green will fulfil their roles effectively along with the likes of senior forwards Simon Mannering, Adam Blair, Issac Luke, and captain and fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

"[Johnson and Green] have done a pretty good job all year, so that's the expectation."