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Top ten highlights of Shaun Johnson’s career

We look at ten of the Kiwi legend’s career highlights.

Published by
Dan Nichols

One of the most entertaining players of the past decade called time on his incredible NRL career during the week.

That man being the great Shaun Johnson.

It is never enjoyable seeing a legend of the game hang up the boots, but I believe Johnson has absolutely nailed the timing.

There will be many, many things written about the Warriors and Kiwis legend, but today we are going to celebrate the best of a glittering career.

Below are 10 Shaun Johnson career highlights. They're not all going to be a specific game, or a drop goal, or a try.

I could honestly do a top 50 on just specific moments. I watched a highlights package and had 20 without even thinking about it.

Let us know what your favourite SJ highlight has been.

2014 Auckland Nines

I have to admit, I was really excited when I heard the Auckland Nines were announced. Many fans, however, were not.

As a huge fan of the sevens tournaments of yesteryear, I love the short-form carnival but most fans just saw it as a gimmick.

Shaun Johnson ensured that the Nines would be a massive success, at very least early on, by lighting up the entire weekend for the Warriors.

He was, undoubtedly, the star of the show. He was the weekend's MVP, top try scorer and first player picked in the Team of the Tournament.

The Warriors ran riot all the way up until the semi-final, and it was almost all on the back of Shaun Johnson's brilliance.

Round 14, 2021 vs Penrith

I fully admit that this is purely here for my own personal touch. This is the fondest memory I have of Shaun Johnson in the black, white and blue of the Sharks.

Kogarah Oval, in a clash against the mighty Penrith Panthers, Shaun Johnson pulled all the strings to get the Sharks home.

A massive, last-minute field goal ultimately banked the points for the Sharks, but Johnson was at his scheming best all night.

Johnson crossed for the second try of the game and started both backline moves for other two.

Meanwhile his 35+ field goal to sink the Panthers will live long in my memory, and those who braved the restrictions and cold to be there.

This won't rate in anyone else's top 50 SJ highlights but I couldn't click submit without including this on my list.

Becoming the Kiwis' highest scorer in Test history

Spoiler: There will be individual highlights to come, but I just wanted to shine the spotlight on what SJ has done for international football as a brand.

I'll burry the lead here; I believe Johnson to be the best player to ever put on a Kiwi jumper.

In 2014 he captured the Golden Boot award (more on that later) and is the current leading point scorer for New Zealand internationals with 223.

Without jumping too far ahead, Shaun Johnson is an absolute megastar of New Zealand Rugby League.

His Toyota Cup career

Shaun Johnson burst onto the scene during the Toyota Cup (akin to the current Jersey Flegg competition) in 2009.

Andrew Johns famously commented: "I haven't been this excited about a player in a long time". Fair praise from a fair player, to say the least.

Johnson was a human highlight reel. The irony of his touch football background here is that on many occasions SJ was playing touch football as no one could get a hand on him.

In his 45 matches he scored 422 points, including 25 tries.

He was breathtaking in the 2010 Toyota Cup Grand Final where his Warriors overcame the Minor Premiers South Sydney to the tune of 42 points to 22.

His Cronulla Stint

I will die on this hill that Johnson's Cronulla career is supremely underrated.

The Sharks were dire in 2020 and only made the Finals because Shaun Johnson dragged them there on his own back.

He laid on a ridiculous 23 try assists, in 16 games!

Johnson was also very good in 2019 when he arrived at the Sharks.

Unfortunately an up and down 2021 is what most fans will remember, but that is supremely unfair to the man who put the Sharks on his shoulders for two seasons prior.

Halfback in a Grand Final in his debut season (2011)

Following his heroics for the Toyota Cup team the year prior, Johnson was seen as a genuine, long-term star for the Warriors.

A pre-season injury meant he would have to bide his time in the Warriors NSW Cup team before making his NRL debut in Round 13 against the Roosters.

A magnificent debut season saw he and the Warriors finish sixth. Johnson would put in a monster fortnight to help his side overcome a week one Finals loss to secure a Grand Final appearance.

Despite falling to the Sea Eagles in the decider, Johnson was arguably the Warriors best on ground.

The rookie halfback showed talent and calm, years beyond his experience. A sign of things to come.

2014 Four Nations Final

One of the greatest nights in Kiwi Rugby League. A home win against the Australians to capture a Four Nations title.

Johnson oversaw one of the sweetest victories in NZ Internationals. A year earlier the Kiwis were thumped in the World Cup final.

Shaun Johnson was in absolutely everything on the night. A late try would make this game look closer than it was, but Johnson's 58th minute try was the game winner.

He was best on ground and an easy choice for Man of the Match, capping off a wonderful competition that saw him top score.

Match-winning try against the Sharks in 2015

As a Sharks fan, this one pains me. As a Rugby League fan, wow!

Picture it; Shark Park, 2015. The Sharks hold a slight lead and only have to kick to the corner to ice it.

Ryan Hoffman charges the ball down but the Warriors only have two minutes to capture a win. A long shot to say the least.

With under 90 seconds to go, Johnson darts across field, beats four defenders and scores untouched to win the game for the Warriors.

Words cannot do justice.

2023 Heroics

Zero disrespect to Kalyn Ponga, but I have no earthly idea how Shaun Johnson didn't capture the 2023 Dally M medal.

Johnson was the best player in the competition and should have banked enough points to clearly beat both Ponga and Hynes, who had good spells.

He had 29 try assists, had his best defensive season ever, and I'd argue he was the most important player in the competition.

No one will ever forget the "Wahs" 2023 season. It was super emotional, chock full of highlights and, simply put, very, very good!

Shaun Johnson was the main reason for that and should have been rewarded with a medal he deserved like few others ever have.

THAT try against England

2013. World Cup Semi Final. A huge English crowd is less than a minute away from seeing their side secure an upset victory to take on the Aussies in the World Cup Final.

With 30 seconds to go, New Zealand were attacking the English line.

Step up Shaun Johnson to break the hearts of an entire nation and set up the Final clash against the Kangaroos.

This was the biggest moment play of a brilliant career. The ultimate stakes. All of nothing.

Johnson took it upon himself to run at the line, stepping two players and scoring untouched.

He then had to step up and slot the conversion, which he did with ease, to secure a World Cup final birth.

Published by
Dan Nichols