Stacey Jones issues message to Warriors teenager amid Shaun Johnson's form woes
Stacey Jones hopes rookie five-eighth Ronald Volkman’s debut can reinvigorate the form of struggling half Shaun Johnson as the Warriors count down the days to their return home.
Johnson’s form has dipped dramatically at the Warriors this year, with the one-time pin-up boy of New Zealand rugby league left out of the Kiwis test squad for next week.
Jones admitted this week Johnson’s battles had been linked to off-field struggles, with his wife and daughter awaiting his return to New Zealand since last year.
The Warriors will finally return home to Auckland to play in a fortnight, with players flying back as early as the start of next week.
While they will still be based in Redcliffe for the rest of this year and fly-in, fly-out for Auckland games, the Warriors will spend the week before their July 3 homecoming training out of their Auckland base.
Jones’ message to Johnson has largely been for the 31-year-old to get through this week, knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel with a full fortnight at home.
But he is also hoping Volkman’s debut against Penrith can inspire some kind of change on the field, with the Warriors reeling from six straight losses and Nathan Brown’s exit as coach last week.
“He’s got a really good opportunity to help a kid out and establish himself as a footy player,” Jones said.
“You shift a bit of focus now to help a kid start off with a good career.
“There will be more pressure on Shaun to get the team around the field. But he’s got a good voice for that.
“We’re not relying on Ronald for miracle plays, but we need something to give some energy around the group.”
Interim coach Jones also claims Volkman’s start will give the Warriors a more dynamic bench, with Chanel Harris-Tavita able to cover more positions as a utility.
He is also unconcerned by throwing 19-year-old Volkman in against Penrith.
Canterbury copped criticism earlier this year when they recalled Kyle Flanagan against the defending premiers, with claims they were setting the playmaker up to fail.
But Jones does not subscribe to that theory, impressed by what Volkman has done for Redcliffe in Queensland Cup since leaving the Sydney Roosters last month.
“He’s got some confidence in his game,” Jones said.
“I know we are coming up against a good team, but this is the NRL. Every team you come up against will be tough.
“When you give someone a debut, I reckon he will play with a lot of adrenaline. It’s not going to faze him.
“What it does mean though against a team like Penrith is that other guys have to support him.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments