A win to go down in history needs an interview to go down in history and a beaming Shaun Johnson has given just that to the resurgent New Zealand Warriors.
The only NRL club across the ditch saved the code by making huge sacrifices during the Covid pandemic, isolating itself from family and friends while the club was based in Australia.
League officials did the team no favors on scheduling either, with just one of the club’s first six games coming in 2023 in New Zealand.
But the Warriors have defied expectations by winning four of their first five matches to sit second on the NRL ladder.
That includes the classic get-out-of-jail effort against Cronulla on Sunday that saw the Warriors rally from 20-0 down to win 32-30 against Johnson’s boot.
The veteran running back returned to the Warriors after being released by the Sharks in favor of Nicho Hynes and appears to love life in his home country.
When brought together by Fox Sports’ Jake Duke for a postgame interview, Johnson delivered one of the best football interviews ever, despite the running back walking away to congratulate his teammates multiple times.
“That was out of his head, out of his head, we talked about it at halftime, do we really think we can go out there and do it?” Johnson said.
“We said some funny things at halftime, bro, we said, ‘What a story that would be, we’ll tell the grandkids about this one day, guys, just go out there and have fun.'”
“And I thought we, fuck man, we’re so resilient, I love being a part of it and it’s such a good feeling.”
“Obviously I like it a lot, I dislike it a lot, but at the end of the day when you come here they’re a good side, bro, they’re a good side and what a feeling.”
A beaming Johnson had no filter when interviewed after the Warriors’ win against the Cronulla Sharks.
Johnson regularly interrupted the interview to celebrate with teammates and officials who wanted to congratulate him.
While Johnson said it was a great feeling to get a win over the club that released him, he said there was no spite.
In fact, he said that time spent with former Cronulla trainer John Morris had prepared him for his big moment on Sunday.
“You know what’s funny, this is exactly what I was thinking, we used to do pre-season here, John Morris used to make me kick goals at the end of a solid training session,” Johnson explained.
“He’d say ‘if you get that, the guys are done for today’ and make me kick them from the side while all the guys were looking at me.
“It actually took me back to that moment, I’ve kicked so many goals here so to get one in the last few minutes, what a feeling.”
Johnson kicks the winning penalty kick for the New Zealand Warriors after the club trailed 20-0 earlier in the contest.
Teammates hound Johnson to congratulate him on his heroism after the Warriors looked dead and gone in their NRL fourth round match against Cronulla.
Warriors fans love their rejuvenated running back.
‘I don’t remember seeing him this high in life loving him for a long time, yeah. Big signs for the Warriors’, posted one.
“When he was smiling after scoring that try, it’s over, he’s the new smiley killer,” said another.
“Top my list of NRL players I’d like to have a beer with,” admitted one enthusiastic fan.
Belief, resilience and trust in your teammates, that’s what I saw today, amazing game. The boys are more and more confident with each game. Proud supporters today,” added another.