In a sight every NZ Warriors fan will be pleased to see before Saturday's NRL semi-final against Newcastle Knights, halfback Shaun Johnson appeared without any bandages on the injury that kept him out of last weekend's defeat to Penrith Panthers.
Originally named to wear No.7 for the Warriors in their qualifying final loss to the Panthers, Johnson was withdrawn last Thursday after a calf complaint suffered in training.
Without their halfback, the Warriors struggled to a 32-6 defeat to the reigning premiers, although coach Andrew Webster maintained Johnson would be fit to take the field at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart for this weekend's do-or-die encounter.
The 33-year-old was filmed by Newshub cameras leaving the team's training on Tuesday, hours before the team to face the Knights will be named.
Asked about his involvement in the semi-final, Johnson replied with "time will tell".
Saturday's semi-final - the Warriors' first home playoffs match since 2018 - sold out in less than an hour, with more than 25,000 fans to pack into Mt Smart to support their side.
Victory will send the Warriors into an NRL preliminary final away to Brisbane Broncos, with the winner to advance to the 2023 grand final.
Defeat, meanwhile, will bring an end to the season that's seen the Warriors transformed under coach Webster.
