Shaun Johnson has been working with a mental skills coach to help block out negative noise and absorb the positive. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Warriors charge to the finals when they meet the Dragons on Friday night in Auckland.
The last home game of the regular season will mark three major milestones for the club.
It will be the 300th match at their beloved Mount Smart Stadium since first bursting out of the tunnel in 1995.
The occasion will coincide with Shaun Johnson's 250th career appearance while captain Tohu Harris will lead the team out in his 100th game for the club.
Johnson credits his work with a mental skills coach in helping him remain calm in clutch moments this season which has him in contention for the Dally M Medal.
"I do a lot of work with a guy called Dan Haesler around my mental approach and blocking out or absorbing what energy is going to be beneficial to me playing well."
He admits the Dally M noise is a distraction but one he doesn't mind.
"I hear the conversations, I get tagged in things, I have family members who talk about it all the time. For me to absorb the information that'll help me play well and narrow my focus and park it is something I'm always working at."
Johnson said Haesler has helped him feel confident to step up and win games for his team when needed.
Another sell out crowd is expected at Mount Smart tonight. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"Without that guidance, I wouldn't be as dialled in as what I am. It doesn't just happen, so I'm comfortable in those positions and approach those moments with complete clarity."
Johnson said with so many memorable monuments during his Warriors tenure, it's hard to pick a stand out.
"I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of some plays that people still talk about, that pop up on my social media, or my dad brings up. They are all pretty special in their own right."
His performances have also sparked conversations about a Kiwis recall.
"The Kiwis stuff is obviously there in the background and I've had a little bit of conversation with people around that but to be honest, it's hard for me to talk about right now with what we've got going on here and that's obviously where my focus lies. I have said that we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
The Warriors have been in indifferent form over the past month, producing some spectacular moments but also leaking tries and letting sides back into the game.
Johnson said though their run home has been against teams all outside the top eight, no game is a gimme.
"Everyone's saying they are easy wins, but there are no easy wins in this competition."
The 32-year-old has relinquished goal kicking duties to Adam Pompey while he nurses a quad niggle.
Centre Adam Pompey has taken over the goal kicking for the Warriors. Photo: Photosport
"I'll be trying to get back as soon as I can but it's nice to have quality kickers in the squad."
Pompey says he is relishing the pressure and is more than happy to deal with the responsibility.
"I've been practising a bit and Ill do it as best as I can. I've done it at a young age, so just excited to add a few points."
The Warriors centre recently re-signed with the club until the end of 2025, bolstering their future backline stocks which will include Roger Tuivasa Sheck next season.
"I'm excited to be here for another two years, the decision was easy. This is home away from home for me, I get to see my family every day."
Te Maire Martin's name is back in the squad list for the first time in more than four months as the Warriors hunt a seventh straight win.
Coach Andrew Webster has also moved Jackson Ford back to the bench, with Josh Curran starting in the second row.
"It's just something different. Jacko has started every game he's been available for selection and we're just giving Josh Curran an opportunity to start, Jacko can go for it at the end of the game."
The teams have contrasting motivations tonight, with a win for the Dragons all but assuring they avoid the wooden spoon, while a Warriors victory will guarantee a top-four spot and a home play off.
Kick off is at 8pm Friday night.
-RNZ
