Warriors Honor Shaun Johnson in His Final Home Game

The New Zealand Warriors hosted the Canterbury Bulldogs in a highly anticipated match on August 23, 2024, at Auckland. This match marked the final home game for the Warriors’ great halfback, Shaun Johnson, who is set to retire at the end of the season. In an act of tribute, the Warriors renamed the stadium to Shaun Johnson Stadium for the occasion.

The Warriors were eager to honor Johnson’s illustrious career and started the game with determination. However, they faced stiff competition from the Bulldogs, who were also aiming for a top-four finish in the league standings.

Early in the match, the Warriors opened the scoring with a try from Marcelo Montoya, driven by their strong possession and pressure on the Bulldogs’ defense. Despite this, the Bulldogs quickly responded with their own scoring opportunities, displaying their prowess as the match progressed.

Controversy arose in the opening minutes when Warriors player Roger Tuivasa-Sheck suffered a head injury following a tackle from Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton. Tuivasa-Sheck was ruled out of the game after being assessed for a Head Injury Assessment, leaving a notable absence in the Warriors lineup.

The match continued in heavy rain, making ball control a significant challenge for both teams. The Bulldogs managed to capitalize on a combination of possession and penalties from the Warriors, eventually scoring a try through Harry Hayes. This was notable as it marked the first try of his career.

A thrilling back-and-forth ensued, with both teams exchanging tries. As the match approached halftime, Wayde Egan scored for the Warriors, regaining their lead after a spirited performance from both teams.

The atmosphere was electric, fueled by the sentiment of Johnson’s farewell. Warriors chief executive Cameron George expressed his appreciation to Go Media and Auckland Stadiums for facilitating the renaming of the stadium for this significant event.