Where will Shaun Johnson be playing in 2022? Ranking the playmaker’s likely destinations

Kiwi halfback Shaun Johnson will reunite with the Warriors next season after signing a two-year deal with the club.

The move comes despite a fairly messy public break up in 2018 after then-coach Stephen Kearney appeared to lose faith in the number seven.

Johnson is off contract with Cronulla at the end of the year and has been weighing up several options for 2021 and beyond after being told he wasn’t required in the Shire.

The Warriors confirmed the news on Friday, seeing the 30-year-old return to the club he represented for eight seasons.

It remains to be seen what the move means for contracted playmakers Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima, but Warriors coach Nathan Brown said he was pleased to bring a player of Johnson’s quality back to the club.

“Shaun’s homecoming is hugely exciting for both the team and the club as a whole,” Brown said.

“I know how much our club means to him and we also know how much he will bring to the side with not just his proven ability but also with his experience, leadership and the value he’ll provide as a mentor for our halves.”

Johnson has played 202 NRL games, 162 with the Warriors and 40 over the last two-and-a-half seasons with the Sharks.

Still the all-time leading points scorer at the Warriors, Johnson knocked back interest from elsewhere in the competition, particularly the Bulldogs, to re-join the Auckland-based outfit.

Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan said Johnson’s passion for the club is evident.

“It’s terrific for us as a club knowing Shaun is coming home,” O’Sullivan said.

“He has big moments in his game but it’s his consistency which has really improved and we believe he can help our young players take their games to another level.

“When we met you could see the passion in his eyes and hear in his voice what returning home means to him.”

It continues a big few weeks off the field for the club after they secured Johnson’s Cronulla teammate and premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend for the remainder of the year following a season-ending injury to Harris-Tavita.

They also announced the signing of outside back Dallin Watene-Zelezniak from Canterbury on a three-year deal.