NRL signing news: South Sydney Rabbitohs could sign Shaun Johnson for 2022

Shaun Johnson could become a short term replacement for Adam Reynolds with the Rabbitohs hatching a secret plan to snare the unwanted Shark.

The off-contract Shaun Johnson is set to be forced out of Cronulla at the end of 2021. Picture: Getty Images.

A shock home has emerged for Shaun Johnson with South’s Sydney considering signing the unwanted Shark as a short-term replacement for Adam Reynolds.

With a quartet of next big things in-line to become Reynolds’ long-term successor, the Rabbitohs have hatched a plan to use Johnson as both a bridge and an insurance policy.

Should the long line of young playmaking talent that includes Dean Hawkins, Lachlan Ilias, Blake Taaffe and Troy Dargan prove unready to lead the Rabbitohs in the NRL next season, Johnson would become the perfect stop gap while they continue to develop.

And even if one of the young halves claims the No. 7 jersey, the Rabbitohs could use Johnson in a Benji Marshall type back-up role.

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The off-contract Shaun Johnson is set to be forced out of Cronulla at the end of 2021. Picture: Getty Images.

Buoyed by the success of Marshall this season, the Rabbitohs believe that fellow Kiwi veteran Johnson could play a similar role.

While several clubs including the Warriors and Raiders have knocked him back, Johnson will almost certainly secure a new NRL deal with the Kiwi Test star one of the few playmakers on the open market.

While at least four clubs including the team that axed him are on the hunt for a halfback or five-eighth, there are only a handful of established playmakers on the NRL off-contract list.

While the list includes players like Connor Watson, Jeremy Marshall King, Will Smith and Lachlan Lewis – Ashley Taylor, Anthony Milford, Corey Norman and Johnson are the only regular top liners looking for a new home.

Former Raiders star Aidan Sezer will also be added to the list following the revelation that he wants to return to Australia following a stint in the English Super League with the Huddersfield giants.

Johnson was being shopped around for $900,000 a year before he was rejected by both the Warriors and the Sharks.

Johnson could end up at South Sydney, after Adam Reynolds signed with Brisbane. Picture: Getty Images.

The 30-year-old will now almost certainly be forced to sign a cut-priced deal with only the Bulldogs and South Sydney expressing an interest.

Before making his return from injury, Johnson said he was confident of getting a new NRL deal.

“It‘s like I’m auditioning (when I return) but in saying that I can’t let that drive me,” Johnson said.

“I can‘t let that be the core focus of what I want to do.

“Because that‘ll probably take my attention away from what I’ve actually got to do in here.

“Whatever happens. Wherever I go, if I stay whatever I do, I know I‘ll be OK with it … I’m not sweating bullets about what’s next.”

Johnson was one of three Sharks who were told that would not be offered new deals last week.

Aaron Woods and Josh Dugan were also told they were not part of incoming coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s future plan.

Originally published as NRL signing news: South Sydney Rabbitohs could sign Shaun Johnson for 2022