Rugby league great Andrew Johns says working with the Warriors has dispelled a commonly-held belief about the Auckland-based NRL club for him.

“It surprised me actually how hard the guys work,” said Johns at the Warriors’ season launch on Tuesday ahead of their grand final rematch with premiers Manly at Eden Park on Sunday.

“There’s this sort of fairytale in Australia that, if you push the Warriors for 60 minutes, in the last 20 minutes you can come over the top of their guys.”

Johns believes it could be a good time for the Warriors to face the Sea Eagles again, given their recent trip to England where they lost the World Club Challenge to Leeds.

“They (Manly) have travelled all around the world to play a game,” he said on Tuesday.

“At a big Eden Park, they’re going to be incredibly hard to beat, the Warriors boys.”

Johns has been working with the Warriors’ halves in the pre-season and likes the balance of highly regarded pair Shaun Johnson and James Maloney.

“Everyone knows I’m a fan of Shaun Johnson,” said Johns, having tipped the young halfback for stardom three years ago when he was 18.

“But the way they combine – Shaun has got all the skills and is nice and flashy, whereas James Maloney adds the other side.

“He’s a tough competitor, a no-nonsense sort of player who really straightens the attack. And he’s a typical halfback. He’s got plenty of cheek.”

John said he remained blown away by the young talent coming through the Warriors ranks.

Two of those youngsters are in line to make their NRL debuts against Manly, with Konrad Hurrell chosen as a starting centre ahead of the seasoned Krisnan Inu and utility Ben Henry named on the bench.