NZ Warriors Shaun Johnson has something more to celebrate this week, with the arrival of his second child - Sachi James Johnson.
Warriors fans will breathe a collective sigh of relief, with the birth seeming to clear the way for the star half to line up against his old Cronulla Sharks outfit on Sunday.
"Our little Matariki baby meeting her big sister," Johnson and wife/former Silver Ferns netballer Kayla announced on Instagram. "Born at 5:26pm, July 14, 2023.
"We love you."
Doubts have hung over Johnson's availability for the Warriors in recent weeks, as the birth neared. He took a risk and accompanied his team across the Tasman for last week's victory over Parramatta Eels and coach Andrew Webster was adamant his kingpin would not miss the big event, if Kayla Johnson went into labour during Sunday's fixture.
"Once again, Shaun won't be missing the birth, that's for sure," he said. "If the baby is about to come and the game is on, then that's a no.
"He's got to be there and we respect that, but if it works out that he can achieve both this week, that would be cool.
"I don't know what I'd do, but if the baby was coming in the first 35 minutes, I'd get him off the field," he quipped. "If it was 50, I'd probably keep him there."
The youngster arrived on the same afternoon that Johnson formalised his return to the Warriors for another season in 2024 - his 14th NRL campaign and 11th with the Auckland-based club.
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