Utility Dylan Walker has been named in the halves to replace injured NZ Warriors star Shaun Johnson for their playoff clash against Penrith Panthers.
Johnson, 32, was named in the No.7 for the club's first postseason appearance since 2018, but withdrew, after pulling up lame at training this week. News of the injury broke just as the team were flying across the Tasman for the game at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday.
Landing at Sydney, coach Andrew Webster confirmed the calf niggle would keep his veteran playmaker off the field this week in the hope he can return for their next home playoff game - either next week or in two weeks.
He would not name Johnson's replace, but confirmed youngster Ronald Volkman was not part of the game squad, so would not receive a call-up. Webster has since named Walker, 28, to occupy the halfback spot, come gametime.
In his first season with the Auckland-based club, Walker has been used mainly as an impact forward off the bench, often in tandem with fellow 'Bald Brother' Jazz Tevaga, but has previously played much of his career at South Sydney and Manly Sea Eagles in the centres or halves.
When five-eighth Te Maire Martin broke his leg in April, Walker slotted back into the halves for a couple of games, before Luke Metcalf returned from injury. With Johnson and Metcalf now ruled out against the Panthers, Walker will combine with Martin.
"It is what it is," assistant coach Justin Morgan told Newshub. "You get injuries as part of the game.
"We've prepared really well. We've had a bit of a contingency [plan] for a little while.
"We're still confident the players we send out there will get the job done."
The reshuffle will see front-rower Bunty Afoa promoted to the interchange, after initially missing the gameday squad.
Join Newshub at 6pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Panthers NRL playoff clash
