Shaun Johnson’s ice cold golden point dagger leaves him in disbelief
New Zealand Warriors prodigal son Shaun Johnson has shown once again why his former club wanted him back so badly.
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New Zealand Warriors star Shaun Johnson snapped a stunning golden point field goal to down the North Queensland Cowboys in a 25-24 thriller at Moreton Bay Stadium on Friday night.
The 31-year-old is in his first season back for the Warriors after three seasons in Cronulla.
After an attacking game and at times bizarre game, including two of the softest tries you’ll ever see, the star halfback kicked a stunning 30m field goal while evading the rushing defence to seal the Warriors’ third straight win.
“What a moment man,” Johnson told Fox League after the game as he fought to compose himself.
“I dunno bro, it’s just such an awesome feeling to be back and contribute. The boys just stuck in there aye. We were out on our feet, the Cowboys are a quality side. They played really well tonight but just able to … saw the pressure coming, stepped to the side and just dropped in hope really and it was good.
“This is really surreal to be honest with you. I know my family’s probably back home watching this right now and my partner’s probably got a tear in her eye and my mum and my dad. To everyone back there, I miss you and I can't way to get back and see you.”
Asked how it feels to be back in a Warriors jersey after a game winning play, Johnson paid tribute to his family.
“It’s a feeling can’t actually explain. I’ve literally got no words,” Johnson said.
“It’s not just me that I’m representing. My family grew up loving the Warriors, they’ve supported them since I was a kid. And I know I’ve been playing the game for a while now but I literally have to pinch myself that this is actually my life, this is what I’m doing.
“Every day is such a blessing bro and that fact that I’m over here without my family motivates me more to do the right thing and get wins on the board so we can return home at the end of the year with a smile on our faces.”
The victory was the 100th of Johnson’s NRL career in his 209th first grade match.
Johnson missed two field goals before nailing the third, including a 20m shot from right in front.
The heart-stopping finish came after three decisive matchwinning plays by Warriors five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita while the Cowboys will wonder how they possibly lost the match.
Dominant with the ball for most of the clash, the Cowboys made crucial errors at key moments and failed to make the most of a mountain of possession in the opposition quarter.
Harris-Tavita set up a try on the cusp of halftime for Josh Curran with a booming 40/20 and then again in the second stanza with a perfect cut-out pass for a Euan Aitken try.
At the death, the everywhere playmaker dived on a kick to secure possession near the line when the Cowboys threatened to snatch victory.
It set it up for Johnson to seal the victory.
With NCA Newswire
Originally published as Shaun Johnson’s ice cold golden point dagger leaves him in disbelief
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