He’s back! After five years out of the national team, Warriors and Kiwi’s great Shaun Johnson will once again lace up his boots and don the black and white.
The veteran halfback has been called in to replace Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes after he was ruled out from injury.
Johnson, now 34, recently called it a day on his 268-game NRL career with both the New Zealand Warriors and The Cronulla Sharks on a high note, delivering a match-winning performance against his former club on August 31.
Initially, he had ruled himself out of the Pacific Championship but answered the call when the Kiwi’s found themselves in dire need of a replacement.
New coach Stacey Jones expressed excitement about Shaun Johnson inclusion saying that it turned Hughes’ setback into a positive.
“He originally said he wouldn’t be available after announcing his retirement from the NRL but, with Jahrome being ruled out, Shaun didn’t hesitate when asked to help out his country.”
Johnson is expected to feature in the Kiwis’ opening Pacific Championships game against Australia on October 27 at Apollo Projects Stadium, coincidentally at the same stadium where Johnson last played for the Kiwis.
It’s a homecoming of sorts.
Photo Credit: RNZ
