Kiwis halfback Kodi Nikorima thinks the Warriors have been "harsh" in their treatment of his New Zealand halves partner Shaun Johnson.
Johnson is off-contract at the end of 2019 but is free to explore other options after the Warriors NRL club confirmed last week they were in no rush to re-sign the 28-year-old.
Johnson signed the two-year deal, reportedly worth seven figures a season last year, but it's understood that the club doesn't want to pay the same amount of money to keep him beyond 2020.
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The news has unfolded while Johnson has been away on national duty with the Kiwis in England for their three-test series.
Johnson came through the junior ranks at the Warriors, leading the under-20s side to the title in 2010, before stepping up to the senior side in 2011 where he played an influential role in guiding the Warriors to the Grand Final.
Speculation has already started about his future with the Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders reportedly interested in signing the New Zealand international.
Nikorima said he reached out to his roommate to show his support.
"I've spoken to Shaun about it. I thought it was pretty harsh the way it all came out and him being on the other side of the world, not having any control over that," Nikorima said.
"I just told him, 'Stay focused, you're part of this team now and the rest will just take care of itself'.
"It just shows that this is a business we live and play in, unfortunately. No doubt when he gets back home he'll sort it all out."
Nikorima insists all Johnson is focused on right now is levelling the test series with England on Monday (NZ time) in Liverpool having lost the first match 18-16 in Hull.
"He doesn't show too much and he's still the same Shaun Johnson that first came over here before all that came out."
Nikorima believes his combination with Johnson has taken great strides since last year's failed World Cup campaign.
"We haven't played that many games [together] but I think the fact we're roommates now helps a little bit, getting to know each other's personalities. I'm a bit of a clown and he's the more serious one so it's good to have that balance.
"In terms of the team, if you look back at the World Cup we sort of just stuck to our sides instead of now where we are both roaming. The more we can connect together the better we will go as a team."
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