Former NZ Warriors and Kiwis teammate Adam Blair is backing Shaun Johnson's stand against social media trolls, as the veteran half prepares for a prolonged stint on the sideline with injury.
As he has for most of his Warriors career, Johnson has attracted much of the blame for back-to-back defeats, including a record-equalling 66-6 loss to bottom-of-the-table Gold Coast Titans, while also battling a string of injuries that have undermined his personal performances.
Coach Andrew Webster has closed him down for "at least four weeks" to rehab a niggly Achilles tendon, sparking a barrage of vitriol from online critics, answered by Johnson on an Instagram post.
"Just like you, I see the comments and, damn, some of you are savage," he said. "If you're one of those who find comfort in slamming others online, I hope everything is OK.
"Your words don't carry weight this time around, but they could for the next person you choose to spew your negativity on. Think before you type."
Blair has been there himself, signing a huge A$2 million contract with Wests Tigers in 2012, but struggling to live up to that hype. One Daily Telegraph editorial wondered out loud: "Is Blair the worst NRL signing ever?"
The former front-rower has defended Johnson from his detractors.
"I think it's harsh," Blair told Newshub. "Not so long ago he was a point off winning Dally M.
"I guess the expectations on Shaun and what he can deliver - and what he has delivered in big games - is where it comes unstuck. If you go through that team last week, you couldn't name anyone who played at their best.
"He's probably the scapegoat for what happened and becomes a target, because he's easy to target. He's always been that target for a lot of fans."
Blair suggests this is the ugly side of the 'Up the Wahs' movement, where fairweather fans jump on and off the bandwagon, when adversity strikes.
"They call themselves Warriors fans," he said. "The thing with Warriors fans is you have to ride the rollercoaster - the highs and lows.
"It's been 27 years. When things are going well, our fans are there through thick and thin, but it's the OGs that stay through the tough times... that have been there through the rain, hail and sunshine to see their players that they support.
"Maybe they're the bandwagons."
Another former Warriors and Kiwis teammate Kieran Foran was an architect of their downfall against the Titans, delivering four try assists and kicking for a game-high 315 metres with a vintage performance.
Afterwards, he texted Johnson to console his old mate.
"I think he's one of the great New Zealand rugby league players of our generation and I think he needs to remind himself, in moments of tough times, just what he's been able to achieve over his career, because it's been extraordinary," Foran told Stuff's League of Our Own podcast.
"He's one of the great halfbacks I've played alongside. We've shared amazing moments together in the Kiwi jersey.
"I just care about him as a person and as a player, and I know that he'll bounce back."
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