We should be breaking the bank for this guy he's available

Has it been expanded upon why theyre happy to let him go?

When you’re paying 1 Million Australian dollars (£552,897) that player needs to be consistently brilliant. NZ Warriors clearly don’t think it’s worth paying that much now, the money can be spent across the team.

It’s like us with Roberts, when you have the high salary everyone expects so much more.

That was Lenegan's reasoning to release Tomkins if he didn't take a pay cut.

I have lost a few Bob on NZ warriors over the last few years. They have had the players to go all the way and usually have about a 4/5game run where the look like worldbeaters but can't put it together consistently.
They have had Hurrell, Vatuvai, Mannering, luke, RTS and plenty of others but still nowhere near.
Johnson has the skill, he has done things that I have never seen Cronk or Thurston do but those 2 have more honours than you can shake a stick at.
It is like deciding what to do for Sunday dinner, do you spend 2hours cutting veg and cooking or do you go and order a pizza.
The pizza is probably the more attractive and easiest option but probably not what is better for you.
If we were to even be interested in Johnson he would be great in the short term for sponsorship /selling corporate packages and season ticket sales but would he be whats best long term.

I have lost a few Bob on NZ warriors over the last few years. They have had the players to go all the way and usually have about a 4/5game run where the look like worldbeaters but can't put it together consistently.
They have had Hurrell, Vatuvai, Mannering, luke, RTS and plenty of others but still nowhere near.
Johnson has the skill, he has done things that I have never seen Cronk or Thurston do but those 2 have more honours than you can shake a stick at.
It is like deciding what to do for Sunday dinner, do you spend 2hours cutting veg and cooking or do you go and order a pizza.
The pizza is probably the more attractive and easiest option but probably not what is better for you.
If we were to even be interested in Johnson he would be great in the short term for sponsorship /selling corporate packages and season ticket sales but would he be whats best long term.

Finance was one consideration and there's the unreported stuff.

Unless he's changed his mind Johnson has made it very clear in the past that he has no interest whatsoever in relocating to the UK.

It probably wouldn't stop us from trying a repeat exercise akin to Sandow and Roberts.

It's unlikely to happen but his signing would arguably be the biggest coup in Super League history.

Don't you think that's just a tad over stating?

Would we have to play with nine men each week just to fit him under the cap?

Good idea!

No, as a marquee player he would have the same salary cap value as Tyrone Roberts.........

Biggest coup was us signing Johns. After that, probably Saints getting Lyon.

Johnson coming would be like when Bradford signed Matt Orford or Hull signed Jason Smith. Big news but not the biggest.

For a moment I thought I read Saints getting rid of Lyon, then re-read and realised you'd referenced Batfink, not Jamie.