Johnson to hit century against Roosters

Playmaker Shaun Johnson, whose dazzling form has helped propel the Warriors up the NRL ladder, is set to become a centurion for the team when they play the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

The game at Allianz Stadium is a fitting venue for Johnson to notch up 100th NRL appearance as he made his debut there as a 20-year-old in a 13-6 loss to the Roosters in 2011, going on to appear in the grand final.

Johnson played a decisive role in the Warriors’ 28-14 victory over Melbourne on Sunday which helped lift the Warriors to fourth spot on the ladder for the first time since 2011.

Apart from scoring a spectacular try and having a hand in the Warriors’ other four tries, he made a game-high 213 metres from 15 runs and eight tackle breaks, while also making 17 tackles without a miss.

With four goals he took his career tally to 538 points including 44 tries.

Warriors assistant coach Andrew Webster admitted on Tuesday that the team hadn’t helped their star halfback at times with their high error counts and poor completions.

But in recent games he’d improved his kicking to create more pressure on the opposition and had been given the ball in better situations.

“Good luck trying to stop him in those situations,” Webster said.

The Warriors have named the same line-up fielded against Melbourne with wing Manu Vatuvei (shoulder), centre Konrad Hurrell (shoulder) and second rower Ryan Hoffman (calf) still on the injured list.

Webster said the Warriors’ performance against the Storm needed to be rewarded by not making personnel changes.

“In saying that we’re probably a week away or two weeks away until we get a few back obviously to be in the team,” he said.

“But we’re really happy with last week so hope we can roll the momentum on this week.”

The Roosters are one spot and two points above the Warriors on the NRL ladder.

Warriors team: Sam Tomkins, Tuimoala Lolohea, Konrad Hurrell, Solomone Kata, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering (captain). Interchange: Siliva Havili, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Charlie Gubb, Albert Vete.

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