Shaun Johnson’s performance in the Four Nations has confirmed that he is one of the best halfbacks in the world.
There’s never been a doubting of the Kiwi’s talent, ever since he burst on to the NRL scene in 2011. The twinkling feet, bamboozling step, outrageous ball skills and huge boot can trouble the best of defences on any day.
But Johnson hasn’t always been able to put it all together when it matters. Often he’s been a ‘rocks and diamonds’ kind of player – brilliant one moment but so-so the next.
That changed in the Four Nations where he was outstanding in all four games. It wasn’t just the final though, the game where he ran riot over the Kangaroos to score one brilliant solo try and set up another.
It was also against England, where he tormented them with bomb after bomb. It was against Samoa when his accurate goal-kicking proved the difference. It was against Australia in the tournament opener when he collected the man-of-the-match, with a try and five from five shots at goal.
Johnson has backed up great performance after great performance in the Four Nations. It’s a big reason why New Zealand, along with a bullying pack and two excellent finishing wingers, reigned supreme in the tournament.
Watching him in the NRL, Johnson has always been an excitement machine. Thirty-seven tries in 83 games – a record any winger would love to have – shows he is a match-winner.
But at the Warriors he has lacked having a formidable halfback partner beside him. He has that in the national side with Kieran Foran, one of the best five-eighths on the planet.
Foran excels at Manly alongside Daly Cherry-Evans, complimenting the Kangaroos half perfectly. They work brilliantly together like the great halves combinations of the past – Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart, Andrew Johns and Matthew Johns, Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny, Allan Langer and Kevin Walters.
Foran is a calm, steady, tough footballer, the perfect partner for the more flamboyant, risk-taking halfback Johnson.
At the Warriors, Johnson has Chad Townsend or Thomas Leuluai outside of him. In the past he has had Pita Godinet. None of those three, respectfully, compare to Foran.
The best the 24-year old has had in his four seasons in the NRL was James Maloney, the NSW five-eighth who is now with the Roosters. Not surprisingly, Maloney and Johnson together led the Warriors all the way to the grand final in 2011, in Johnson’s first season in first-grade.
When the playmaker hasn’t had a classy six alongside him he has been forced to run the whole show, get his hands on the ball every play and do everything. It leads to mistakes at times and overplaying his hand.
But in the Kiwis with Foran there, he can size the defence up, pick his moments and inject himself into a match at the perfect time. The two are developing a outstanding combination over time and the best – with both just 24 years of age – could be yet to come.
Phil Gould once described Johnson as “the new Benji Marshall’. It’s early days and the fleet-of-foot halfback is merely three years into his career, but he could be better than Benji.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
up in the north
Guest
I guess it depends on how happy Foran is at Manly, but talk of him going to the Warriors -even if it is only talk- sounds pretty exciting. They have surely been the big underperformers in the last coupl of years. They always bugger up my tipping comp'. As we all know though it takes more than an outstanding halves combo' to win the comp'. But if it does happen it would be good to see. Can't see him leaving Manly though.
Parafanalia
Guest
The NRL could do with a boost and I think this could be done with the Warriors winning a a premiership. This is definitely achievable if Foran joins the Warriors as the no 6 and Johnson no 7. Although I am a Parra fan I would love to see this happening. Johnson is an amazing athlete and if we can see the best of him playing alongside Foran then so be it.I just love watching him play and I think there are thousands of kids out there who want to be just like him especially in New Zealand.
The eye
Guest
So Foran has a magic wand ? Cherry was outside the smartest 1/2 in the world and still went backwards..Johnson has good games,poor games and impeccable games regardless of whether it's Foran or Townsend outside him..Foz is very,very quick between the ears,but your starting to slap it on a bit
Parafan
Guest
Agree. Foran is the better/more consistent half and is the same age as Johnson but generally gets overlooked by fans. People rave about DCE and Johnson, however these two only seem to play at a higher level when Foran is partnering him. I reckon Foran could play to JT's level in the coming years.
cedric
Guest
a mate told me the other day he saw or heard an interview with Foran who said lately he believes he's a Manly player for life and then the next day, with continual dramas at the club, he feels like leaving!, Come home Foran; the warriors outside backs would fire with those 2 at the helm, with Laumape/Hurrell/Manu and Fusitua and Tomkin hovering around, all the forwards gotta do is lay the foundation. I believe the foundation could be layed with some well known toilers, Matalino/Lillyman/Mannering, etc. Hey Foran, I'm sure your mum misses you!!!!!!
dubblebubble
Guest
That's what I was thinking. Foran is exactly what the Warriors need. A calm, calculating, steadying influence to make the most of the individual brilliance at the Warriors. It would be quite something to deliver a first premiership for a Kiwi based team. Foran being a proud Kiwi and all must surely being considering this.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Johnson was very good against the Kangaroos in both games but went missing against the Poms & Samoans, he is still a rock & a diamond, we will see what happens next year when him & Foran come up against the Master, JT.
up in the north
Guest
I'm glad this article was honest and admitted that Foran is integral to Johnson looking so good. They are certainly an excellent combination and will only improve going forward, but don't put them on too high a pedestal, the fall can be fatal. Enjoy what they do and marvel at their skill. Amen.
maximillian
Guest
The Warriors have just unloaded Neilsen to the Dragons & Mateo to Manly & they wouldve been 2 of the higher earners at the club. Id love to see them put in a bid for Foran because those 2 together can take them to a premiership.
Nordburg
Guest
Media have been saying this about Johnson since 2011.Any time he has a good game they all jump on the band wagon of him coming of age then the next week he looks as good as Paul Carige.He's the flashy player that will give you rocks or diamonds,Marshall style -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.