Young Warriors prodigy Shaun Johnson says he’s picking his moments to make an impact as NRL defences start to pay him more attention.

The halfback was a major influence in a two-try display as the Warriors gained their first home win of the season by downing Gold Coast 26-6 in Auckland on Saturday night.

Some critics had suggested that Johnson needed to be more involved after what they saw as a quiet start to the campaign following some spectacular performances as a rookie last year.

The 21-year-old, who has formed a potent halves partnership with James Maloney, says he was glad to have more of the ball against the Titans.

However his aim is simply to not overplay his hand.

“A lot of people have been talking that I’ve been pretty quiet,” he said.

“But I’m just trying to do the little things around the field that people don’t really notice.”

He said one way of countering the added defensive pressure on him was to wait for the right openings to arise.

“If they’re on me, there’s no point in me taking a hit-up like a front-rower,” he said.

“I’ll just keep pushing around the boys and waiting for that opportunity to come.

“Tonight, I guess it happened a little more. I think the boys in the middle did an awesome job in tying up their middle boys and it just gave me and Jim a little bit room at the edges.”

Coach Brian McClennan said he was pleased with Johnson’s development after just 20 games in first grade.

While everyone knew he had individual brilliance, Johnson’s main job was the lead the team around the park.

“We know brilliant things will happen, like how he’s jumped out of dummy-half there and step, step, step, and scored,” McClennan said of Johnson’s first try.

“As long as he keeps managing the team first, that’s the main thing for us, and I think he’s doing well.”