Shaun Johnson would thrive without pressure at Cronulla, says former teammate Chad Townsend

Chad Townsend knows how much expectation and focus weighs on Shaun Johnson in New Zealand. That why the Cronulla half believes his former teammate could flourish in a pressure-free environment with the Sharks.

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NRL fans in Australia don’t understand the enormity of Shaun Johnson’s pulling-power and what he means to the code in New Zealand.

That’s the opinion of the only Shark who knows the Kiwi Test star best, Chad Townsend, who added he was stunned by the Warriors decision to let the former Golden Boot winner go.

Townsend spent two seasons (2014-2015) in New Zealand playing alongside Johnson at the Warriors and says he would “love” the chance to rekindle their combination.

The Sharks are the frontrunners to sign Johnson after the 28-year-old was formally released from the Warriors on Wednesday.

Johnson is the face of the game in New Zealand. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

“I’m not sure what their (Warriors) motivation was, it’s hard to understand when you consider what Shaun means to the Warriors and New Zealand,’’ Townsend said.

“What he means to New Zealand rugby league is enormous — he is the face of rugby league in New Zealand.

“I’ve seen it first-hand.

“I don’t think Aussies really do understand. Until you’re over there and see it every day, that’s when you understand the magnitude of interest that he brings.’’

Townsend and Johnson played 34 games together over two seasons at the Warriors, with a strike rate of 53 per cent.

Townsend knows how much Kiwis expect of Johnson. (Jason Oxenham/Getty Images)

Yet the Sharks only premiership-winning halfback believes Johnson would thrive at a club, which unlike the Warriors, won’t lump the pressure of winning and losing on his shoulders.

“While he’s definitely a star player of the league, if he comes to the Sharks, I don’t think he would have the pressure and expectation on him to carry the team like he has had,’’ Townsend said.

“He could simply come in and do his job.

“Like Matt Moylan last year, while there was pressure on him to perform there wasn’t excessive pressure to carry the team and win the game every week for us.

“All he had to do was his job.

“For Shaun to leave the Warriors, it would take a lot off his shoulders where he can just contribute and be the best player for the team.

“For him, I think it would be a good move for his career.

The two would make an exciting halves pairing for Cronulla. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

“To play those two seasons together, I really enjoyed it and we got on well. I’d love him to come and join us.

“Factoring in the strength of the playing squad currently at Cronulla, plus him being wiser, a more mature player and our history of having played together, all of those things combined, I could see our combination being a lot better this time around.

“No doubt, our styles suit each other. My game definitely suits a player like that.’’

Townsend has remained in touch with Johnson over the past week via text message.

“We got on really well over there. We played golf together, quite a lot,’’ Townsend said.

“Shaun is one year older than me, so we hung out a lot and we also played against each other throughout the juniors.

“I’ve sent him a text, nothing too serious, but just that I was aware of the talk (that he could leave the Warriors) and that if he had any questions, feel free to give us a call.’’

Should the Sharks land Johnson as expected, 2018 five-eighth Matt Moylan would be the obvious replacement at fullback for NFL-bound Valentine Holmes.

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