Shaun Johnson will play international rugby league for New Zealand again for the first time in five years at the 2024 Pacific Championships, coming out of retirement to replace injured Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes.
Hughes was ruled out on Thursday with a neck injury picked up late in the 2024 season. He was originally named in New Zealand’s 21-man squad for the Pacific Championships where the representative squad will face Australia and Tonga.
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Johnson hung up his boots less than two months ago, ending his 268-game NRL career with a game-winning knock against the Sharks in the second last round of the 2024 NRL season.
The 34-year-old originally ruled himself out of playing the Pacific Championships. Things changed, however, when new Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones put out the SOS call. “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,” Jones said.
“He’ll bring so much to the camp through his presence together with his experience and his leadership.”
Dylan Brown (knee), Kieran Foran (ankle), Jeremy Marshall-King (knee), Te Maire Martin (neck), and Brandon Smith (knee) as well as one possible backup option in Joseph Manu—who just switched to rugby union in Japan—are all also unavailable to play.
That dearth of proper playmakers is what led to Jones calling Johnson on Thursday. “On top of all the other withdrawals it was a big setback to lose Jahrome but that has now turned into a real positive with Shaun deciding to step in,” he said.
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Johnson’s short return to rugby league will begin in Christchurch on October 27, when the Kiwis take on Australia in the opening match of the men’s side of the Pacific Championships.
