Penrith Panthers are taking reports of an injury to NZ Warriors star Shaun Johnson with a grain of salt, as they prepare for their NRL playoff clash on Saturday.
The veteran playmaker has boarded a charter flight from Auckland to Sydney, sporting a calf bandage, amid claims he is considered only a 50-50 chance of taking the field against the defending champions.
Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards has greeted the news with skepticism.
“It would be for any side, losing their No.7, particularly the way Shaun’s been playing,” he said. “We’ll prepare as if he is playing and do our due diligence there.”
Veteran forward Isaiah Yeo also isn’t buying into the rumours.
“I expect him to play, but he’s been the best player in the competition, so we’ve got plans in place to try and combat that, and limit the good things he can do in a game,” he said.
“I’m not sure, it’s news to me, but I daresay he’ll be out there playing. It’s a huge game for both teams, so if there’s any chance he can, I’m sure he will.”
Yeo suggests it would not be the first time injury rumours popped up in playoff build-up.
“I probably won’t buy into it too much,” grinned second-rower Liam Martin. “We’ll still prepare the same.
“It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened. Whether he does or whether he doesn’t won’t change how we play.”
Ironically, Penrith have also had to adjust to the loss of key half Jarome Luai, who dislocated a shoulder two weeks ago and has been ruled out this week.
Johnson, 32, has been the Warriors’ best player this season and scooped three major honours at their annual awards ceremony, including the prestigious Simon Mannering Medal. He is also considered a redhot favourite to take out the Dally M Medal for NRL Player of the Year.
Johnson and several other frontline players were rested from the regular season finale against the Dolphins, but had not missed a game this season before that. Johnson has been nursing a quad injury that saw him hand over goalkicking duties to centre Adam Pompey in recent weeks.
Join Newshub at 6pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Panthers NRL playoff clash
