Three weeks into the NRL season, NZ Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson's new lease on life is clear to see under new coach Andrew Webster.
In the final year of his current contract with the Warriors, Johnson has been an integral part of the side's start to the season, with two wins from their first three games.
The most recent of those, coming against North Queensland Cowboys last Saturday, was arguably the most impressive, as the Warriors snapped a 13-game losing run on Australian soil.
So far this season, Johnson has looked back to his old self with ball in hand, attacking the opposition line as his first option, rather than looking to pass straight away.
Those instructions have come from the top, with Webster challenging Johnson to express himself out on the park.
"He makes a point of it," said Johnson. "He wants me running the footy, he wants me dancing across the line, keeping them guessing.
"He certainly wants me to have a smile on my face. It's nice to hear as a player."
Webster has made no secret of his belief in Johnson in his first season as the Warriors' head coach.
The 32-year-old has been backed as the Warriors' go-to No.7, as the most experienced half at the club.
And after Johnson declared his pre-season to be one of the best he's ever had at the Warriors, the proof is in the pudding.
Coupled with the Warriors' forwards stocks arguably being as strong as they've ever been, it's no surprise to see the team on an upward trajectory.
"Any halfback will tell you, their job's a lot easier when you have a forward pack that dominates like ours had the last few weeks," he said. "It's been really fun.
"The expression comes from the hard work I've done, and the confidence that gives me in my body to not even think about things - just attack.
"[If] you combine that hard work with the clarity Webby's given me, the clarity that we have collectively at the moment around what our performance looks like, you get that.
"I want to hold onto that for as long as I can."
Another important factor in the Warriors' run to start 2023 has been the arrival of Te Maire Martin, who has inked himself in as the first-choice at No.6 in combination with Johnson.
The duo have started all three games this season together, and will do the same on Sunday when the Warriors host Canterbury Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium.
The consistency in selection has been vital in allowing Johnson and Martin to grow together, compared to the 2022 season - where four different halves pairings played in the opening four rounds.
"Continuity is pretty important, not just for me but for the side in general," Johnson continued.
"The longer you can keep partnerships together, the better they usually become and the more beneficial that is for the team.
"Last year there was so much chopping and changing, not just in the halves but everywhere.
"The longer you can keep those partnerships together, the better we'll be for it."
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