Metcalf: Bonus having two of the best in my corner

Luke Metcalf is thriving on the challenge of following in the footsteps of Shaun Johnson and Stacey Jones, and the halfback greats are helping him to become the Warriors long-term No.7.

Metcalf has taken over the chief playmaking duties following the retirement of Johnson at the end of last season and he is grateful to have the pair as mentors.

Jones, who is on the Warriors coaching staff, works closely with Metcalf on his kicking game and instils confidence in the 30-game rookie to lead the side as a dominant playmaker. 

Johnson also provides regular feedback and advice to Metcalf, who has been instrumental in the Warriors achieving consecutive wins against the Sea Eagles, Roosters and Wests Tigers before last weekend's bye.

Metcalf will go head-to-head with 2024 Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes when the Warriors meet the Storm in Melbourne next Sunday, but he has two other Kiwi halfback greats in his corner.

“Stacey has been awesome, we work so closely together, so it's cool to be able to work with someone who is one of the best halfbacks to ever play the game," Metcalf said.

"I do a lot of kicking work with him, a lot of talking just around the game in general, chit-chat and watching video. He’s so cool to be able to work with.”

Metcalf and Johnson’s relationship spans back to the season they spent together at the Sharks in 2021, and they reunited at the Warriors in 2023.

“I speak to Shauny probably once a week at least. He was one of my mates when I was at Cronulla, when we were there together, and he was here for a couple of years when I came to the Warriors," Metcalf said.

"He’s been really cool for me, he checks in on me every week just to see how I’m going and hopefully I get to catch up with him soon as mates as well, just to talk about the game.

"He's always there, if I ever need anything, if I need to call him or text him, his phone is always on, and I can rely on him to help me out.”

Jones, who last year took over as Kiwis coach, played 46 Tests for New Zealand, 261 NRL matches for the Warriors and made 47 Super League appearances for Catalans.

The NRL Hall of Famer won the Golden Boot in 2002 after steering the Warriors to the NRL grand final and led the Kiwis to their 2005 Tri-Nations triumph against Australia - ending 27-years of international dominance by the Kangaroos.

Johnson, who won the Golden Boot in 2012 and was the 2023 RLPA player of the year, made 224 NRL appearances for the Warriors - including the 2011 grand final - and 44 for the Sharks, while playing 35 Tests for the Kiwis.