Thursday July 22, 2021
SPORT
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SPORTS TALK With Jacob Page
Back to the future with Shaun Johnson The Warriors have likely made a shrewd investment in regaining the services of Shaun Johnson. It’s taken me a few weeks to fully embrace the reunion, for both sides, but it appears the positives far outweigh the negatives. The now 30-year-old left the club in unhappy circumstances three years ago. He negotiated an early release from his lucrative contract when the club decided they wanted to
see more before offering him a new deal. Johnson is eager to come home with his young family. Who could blame him? The competition is keeping the competition afloat by moving 12 teams to Queensland. The Warriors will be getting a more mature Johnson at a much friendlier price, The Warriors should be back to playing games in New Zealand
consistently from next year which I’m sure is also appealing. Johnson, who has played for the Cronulla Sharks since his Warriors time ended, will also offer a proven match-winner and a leader in Auckland, something which may be needed with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moving to rugby. Some fans are not overly excited by the back to the future move but I believe it was the best option the Warriors could get to upgrade their
under-performing halves. No one has taken Johnson’s spot at Mt Smart since he left three years ago. The Warriors have a poor kicking game, their last tackle options are below par and unsustainable if the team wants to make the top eight. The Warriors had a need and they addressed it. Now, sure, there was dysfunction when the club initially said they had no interest in re-signing John-
son but at least they were not too proud to walk those words back for the benefit of the club. So, while it’s not Nathan Cleary, Brandon Smith, or Jerome Hughes, Johnson is the best option available for the money on offer. Johnson will hopefully run at the line more and use his much improved kicking game to ensure more tries, more points and more victories for the Warriors next year.
Johnsonville win two straight, down Rams By Jacob Page
Johnsonville booked a Hardham Cup semifinal against Petone on Saturday with a gritty 20-15 win over the Upper Hutt Rams at Maidstone Park. With wet and windy weather lashing the region, Johnsonville made the most of the wind advantage in the first half to race out to 20-0 before Upper Hutt made a strong comeback with conditions in their favour in the second half. Johnsonville coach Jason Adamson says conditions were tough but he wanted his team to acclimatise to it quickly. “We prepared out in the elements for about 30 minutes prior to kick-off and we were drenched but it was important to be able to work on our basics. “Upper Hutt warmed up indoors and who knows, maybe that made a difference for us.” Johnsonville played with controlled confidence in the first half and it paid dividends.
“Surface flooding was an issue but we also wanted to push the ball into the wider channels. “Our scrum had dominance and we used that to our advantage well. Johnsonville got first half tries from prop Tevita Falekalala, open side flanker Serge Hollis and right winger Aukuso Tuitama. A penalty and conversion from halfback Mark Sutton would prove vital. Johnsonville absorbed a lot of pressure in the second half which included an early yellow card to centre Paula Kinikinilau. Despite conceding three tries, Jason says he was pleased his side was capable of closing out the game under pressure. He says this Saturday’s contest was winnable if Johnsonville did the basics well and showed a desire to look after the ball and take the chances they create on attack. “I do think we can win this weekend,” Jason says. “At this point, we have nothing to lose.”
Johnsonville booked a Hardham Cup semifinal spot with a 20-15 triumph in the rain over the Upper Hutt Rams on Saturday. Photo: Natural Light Photography.
Weather plays havoc with football By Grant Stephen
North Wellington captain Zak Brown looks to maintain possession against Tawa on Saturday. Photo: Imray Snaps.
It was anything but business as usual after a torrid weekend of weather which saw the postponement or abandoning of a number of football games, including some in top echelons last Saturday. At Alex Moore Park, serious consideration was given to converting the artificial turf into a paddy field when surface water covered the entire artificial playing area for a considerable time. The drainage never failed but simply could not cope with the volume of rain that fell over a sustained period. In the men’s Premier League, North Wellington were exposed to a biting northerly wind which was just as unpleasant as the constant rainfall. Tawa AFC were the biggest threat overall though and ended up comfortable 5-0 winners over Norths with a relentless attacking style that could not be contained. The scheduled Central League match between North Wellington and Wainuiomata that was to follow the Premier League game never got off the ground with conditions deteriorating further and the pitch looked more suitable for Venice than Johnsonville.
The match has been rescheduled for late August so it will be some time yet before the dust settles on final placings with all games in the league to be concluded by 28 August. The other four games in the round did take place however. Western Suburbs travelled to Petone for a 3-1 win, Miramar Rangers enjoyed a 5-0 road trip over Wairarapa United and Wellington Olympic stayed at home for a 6-0 win over Waterside Karori. Lower Hutt City travelled to Napier and had a solid 5-1 over Napier City Rovers. At the end of round 14 of 18, Miramar remain on top with 36 points, Wellington Olympic have 35, lower Hutt City 31 and Western Suburbs 22. The bottom 4 sides all have a game in hand but Wainuiomata remain winless. Petone are on 6 points, North Wellington 12 and Waterside Karori 14. Napier City Rovers are mid-table on 17 points and Wairarapa United sit on 19 points. In the Women’s Premier League, North Wellington squeezed past Island Bay with a 2-1 win and after 11 of 14 matches, remain in top spot on 29 points. They are 3 points clear of Wellington United and 7 points in front of Kapiti Coast United who are on 22 points.