NZ Warriors star Shaun Johnson faces another extended period on the sidelines, after aggravating an longstanding Achilles tendon niggle that has plagued him most of this NRL season.
After his team's devastating 66-6 defeat to Gold Coast Titans - equalling the club's worst-ever losing margin - the veteran half pulled up lame with a tight hamstring and seemed a marginal prospect to suit up this week.
Coach Andrew Webster has confirmed Johnson won't be available for at least a month, but refuses to put an exact time on his return.
"Obviously, he had some ice on his hamstring and some tightness on the weekend," he said. "Shaun rehabbed it [the Achilles] and it felt amazing, but he's not come back the way he wanted and you could see you couldn't do what he needed to do.
"We're just going to makes sure, when we get good signs - he's training with the team and doing well - we'll bring him back. He's just not physically there, and he's tried and tried.
"He was feeling really good and training, but it wasn't what he wanted. We made the decision - and we're all on board with it - that we'll give him whatever the right amount of time is to get him back in good shape."
Johnson, 33, has been dogged by injury all season, preventing him from recapturing the form that saw him fall one vote short of the Dally M Medal last season, as he guided the Warriors to a deep playoff run.
"Since day one of pre-season, he's tried to train with the team and things just haven't gone his way," reflected Webster. "He had a bad ankle injury in pre-season and hardly got any reps.
"Every time he looks like coming back, something happens."
Webster even considered sitting Johnson a few games to help his recovery, but that respite became obligatory, when the half tore a pectoral muscle in his shoulder and was forced to rest.
In his absence, Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita combined effectively in the halves, as the Warriors turned a four-game losing streak into three straight wins.
In two games since his return - both defeats - Johnson has been subdued and, almost inevitably, fingers turned his way after the Titans debacle. Webster is quick to jump to his defence.
"One-hundred percent unfair," he said. "Sixty-six points conceded and everyone's talking about Shaun...
"Come on, did everyone not see how bad everyone tackled on the weekend? He wasn't great at that either, but the whole team was terrible.
"I think it's unfair."
Johnson hasn't played in a winning team since their victory over South Sydney Rabbitohs on April 6 - nearly three months ago - and the critics will get their wish this week, when Martin and Harris-Tavita renew their partnership.
The club's all-time top pointscorer is currently on a one-year contract and is considering his playing future past this season. He's indicated he will either extend with the Warriors or retire.
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