The Warriors give every indication that they’re happy to see the back of their star half.
Shaun Johnson’s acrimonious departure from the Warriors, where he’d spent a decade going from hot prospect to New Zealand’s rugby league poster boy, is a reminder that happy endings are the exception rather than the rule in professional team sport.
The bare facts are that the Warriors indicated to Johnson, whose million-dollar-a-year contract was to expire next year, that he should feel free to explore all options for life beyond 2020. Johnson took that to mean either he wouldn’t be offered a new contract or it would be a significantly diminished version of the current arrangement. He therefore decided that if the Warriors didn’t see him as part of their future, he didn’t want to be part of their present. He sought an immediate release from his contract, which was granted even though it leaves a gaping hole in the club’s playing roster. Johnson promptly signed a three-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks.
The tug of war over Johnson’s playing future had been resolved but the battle for the hearts and minds of the Warriors’ large and loyal fan base was just heating up.
Denne historien er fra December 15 - 21 2018-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra December 15 - 21 2018-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
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Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
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The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
