With diva-like flair Princess is gone out the doors of Mt Smart and off to join Cronulla or St George on a one-year deal before joining the Roosters in 2020.
The Warriors have made the right call even if it means setting themselves back in 2019. As I stated in my preview for the 2018 season, Shaun Johnson was a secondary playmaker masquerading as a primary playmaker. This was reinforced during the recent Kiwis tour of England where (future Warriors) halfback Kodi Nikorima took over the halfback role. Johnson just wasn't worth that much of the salary cap - especially with the club so close to the cap limit.
The mistake the club made was letting Mason Lino leave for Newcastle. He's a decent backup whose style of game fits the system the club is trying to execute. Plus he's a goalkicker.
So who could join Blake Green in the halves in the 2019? Here's a few options:
Mason Lino: He wants to be a starter and a starting position just opened up at the Warriors. He's not going to get that opportunity at Newcastle where the coach has said he'll be using Ponga and Pearce in the halves. If the Warriors can't find a replacement before Christmas don't be stunned if Mason declares he's "homesick" and rejoins the Warriors. I doubt the Knights would stand in his way.
Chanel Harris-Tavita: You'll hear this 19 year-old's name a lot, simply because of one play he did in the Junior Kiwis' game against the Junior Roos.
My personal take is that Chanel is still too raw to start in the NRL but the Warriors might be forced to.
Karl Lawton: Another talented prospect, this time from Oz, Karl Lawton got some gametime at hooker last season and did well, scoring two tries on debut. Hooker looks to be his position but he did spend a lot of time at standoff in the NSW Cup last season.
Peta Hiku: Have too many centres you say? Just make one of them a halfback. This would probably only happen in an emergency situation, like it did during games last season, but Kearney does trust Hiku to be his Mr Fix-it.
Kodi Nikorima: It's no secret that Kodi Nikorima has been the guy the Warriors have been thinking about for 2020 going forward. They now have the cap space to beat out any other offers and Nikorima has ties to Kearney from his time with the Kiwis and Broncos. Getting Nikorima for 2019 might not be that tough as the Brisbane club wants to resign Tevita Pangai Jr. and Bennett just might be willing to help out a former protege in his final year....
Somebody else: Te Maire Martin, Corey Norman and Mitch Moses are some names being thrown around. All have positives, and a few negatives, but really it's whoever can fit the new structured system at the Warriors.









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