Getting hooked with half an hour to play in Saturday night’s record thrashing at the hands of Penrith is the most embarrassing moment in Shaun Johnson’s NRL career.

The 22-year-old halfback made the frank admission after being pulled from the field by coach Matt Elliott in the 49th minute of the 62-6 belting – the biggest defeat in Warriors’ history.

It is the first time Johnson has failed to finish a match since his debut season, when he was benched late in games to protect his fragile frame.

The New Zealand international was furious at the decision, angrily looking up at the coach’s box before being calmed down by teammate Feleti Mateo.

“Just got pulled. No injury. Just got subbed,” a downcast Johnson said afterwards.

“Being a halfback, it’s probably the most embarrassing thing that can happen.

“No, I wasn’t too happy. But that’s what happened.

“That’s how it went, I’ve just got to move forward.

“… I got taken off in my third game.

“But that’s certainly the first time like that, that early in the game as well.

“It’s not the best feeling that’s for sure.”

Elliott refused to discuss the shock benching after the match and Johnson said he had been offered no explanation.

But Johnson said it was something he planned on talking to the coach about in the coming days.

“No (explanation). Nothing,” he said.

“Look, he made his decision. I went with it.

“And I’m sure he made it for what he felt was best for the team.”

Johnson had two of the Warriors’ 37 missed tackles and failed to get the team’s attack going, but hooker Nathan Friend said he couldn’t be pinned for the loss.

“He’s not the reason for our implosion there,” Friend said.

“He’s not the only one that missed a tackle out there tonight. We’re all guilty of that. It’s not just him.

“… Him and everyone else, we’ve all got to look at our game and worry about next week.”