Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson have struck up a promising partnership - but for how long with the NZ Warriors?

OPINION: Like that between a couple of eager teenagers, the Kieran Foran-Shaun Johnson relationship has blossomed in recent weeks.

The two have fallen over themselves in describing their respect for each other as they develop a potent attacking formula and also a close bond off the field.

For Foran, Johnson has supposedly provided the ideal off-field example as he has gone about lifting himself out of some dark times.

PHOTOSPORT Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran have developed a strong bond on and off the field.

For Johnson, in sparkling bright lights, Foran has provided an example of what a strong leader and established halves partner can do for his own game.

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But like a teenage love interest, it has the potential to get messy. How will this all end?

The player market speculation is rife at the moment with people attempting to join the dots to work out where each off-contract players are going.

Everything is pointing to Foran's time with the Warriors being a one-year stint.

The Warriors got Foran at a bargain price this year given his personal situation and the fact Auckland was viewed as the best place to sort himself out.

Sydney-based clubs with room under the salary cap are now circling one of the most sought-after off-contract players.

So where does this leave the off-contact Johnson, and the Warriors in general, if Foran is gone at the end of the year?

Foran has just delivered the Warriors and Johnson a large dose of reality with what he has done in the space of just two games.

The smart money is on Johnson remaining at the Warriors but he has quickly become aware that for him to get the best out of himself he needs more help in the halves.

A player that will run the show and get into the grind, while he waits to pounce.

Johnson has said publicly that until he was provided the chance to link with Foran over the past two weeks in the NRL, he never realised what he had been missing.

For the first time in Johnson's career, a move away from the Warriors has at least become a serious possibility.

The temptation to follow Foran must be there, and given the demand for Foran, if he wants his new best bud alongside him at a Sydney club he could have plenty of sway.

On the flip side, if Johnson stays, the Warriors management must now be aware that to get to the holy grail - a premiership - they need a strong leader in the halves alongside Johnson.

If they can't go deep into the NRL competition in 2017 with Foran, they won't be a chance to do it without him in 2018.

Tuimalola Lolohea seems to have plenty of experts lining up to shower him with praise, but he hasn't shown enough to suggest he is the right man for the job.

Ata Hingano was used in the No 6 jersey before Foran was able to play - he too has shown potential but does not have the attributes required for a premiership-winning combination with Johnson.

Foran's introduction to the Warriors has provided hope for the 2017 season, but it may well have just sparked more questions than answers in regard to the club's future.