Shaun Johnson’s Warriors season ‘is over’ – Andrew McFadden

It was a nightmare match for the Warriors who look set to be without star halfback Johnson for the rest of the year, after he suffered what appeared to be a serious ankle injury and was taken straight to hospital midway through the first half.

Warriors superstar Shaun Johnson has suffered a serious leg injury while scoring a dazzling solo try in the early stages of the Warriors v Sea Eagles game in New Zealand.

Shaun Johnson could be out for the season after this.

Also touching down were Jake Trbojevic and Matt Ballin, while Jamie Lyon kicked four conversions.

Then on 26 minutes, Johnson levelled the scores with a trademark stepping dart through several defenders to place the ball on the line.

Johnson attempted to walk off the field under his own strength but eventually had to be carried off by trainers.

But in reaching out to put down, he got his left ankle trapped.

Coach Andrew McFadden confirmed after the game via his club’s Twitter account that Johnson’s injury was “season ending”, while the problem remains undiagnosed.

After being thrashed 24-0 to the Roosters last weekend, the Warriors desperately needed to get back on track against a Sea Eagles side that’s been rocked by off-field dramas.

The playmaker has been in terrific form of late to help the Warriors jump into the top four but injured his left ankle while scoring a try in the 25th minute against the Sea Eagles at Mt Smart Stadium tonight.

Substitute forward Albert Vete replied for the home side, but Manly’s Matt Ballin went over from dummy half to add the icing for visitors.

However, even with Johnson on the field, the Sea Eagles were able to inflict damage early.

When Stewart went in for his second try in the 68th minute, that was the signal for numerous 15,812 spectators to head for the exit gates – and you can’t blame them.

Fullback Stewart put the result beyond doubt 11 minutes from time with his second, before the Warriors hit back in vain through interchange forward Albert Vete.

Following the Auckland game, the Melbourne Storm hosted the St George Illawarra Dragons in Napier, in the first-ever NRL match at McLean Park.