Kiwi great Richie Barnett says there will be plenty of pressure on Chad Townsend to step up in Shaun Johnson’s absence and even more on rookie replacement Tui Lolohea.

“Chad Townsend has to become the driving force of the team” Barnett wrote for The NZ Herald.

“He’s the main organiser and needs to take on a lot more responsibility. Beside him it will be a big test for Tui Lolohea. Like Johnson he can turn a game on his own, and he had a lot of great moments in the Holden Cup at No 6. But this is a different ball game; I know he’s done drills in that position at times but that’s no comparison with game time.

“Tui’s a quiet guy and there would be concern over his communication, especially when he gets tired. Cronulla will direct a lot of traffic at him, particularly with Paul Gallen and Wade Graham playing on his side of the field.”