By Jasper Bruce
New Zealand hero Shaun Johnson has the chance for the perfect sign-off to his rugby league career after coming out of retirement to replace Jahrome Hughes in the Pacific Championships.
The superstar halfback bowed out from the NRL after 268 first-grade games, throwing the winning pass for the Warriors in his final appearance against Cronulla in late August.
The 34-year-old had marked himself as unavailable for the Kiwis’ Pacific Championship campaign that begins against Australia on October 27, and has not played for New Zealand since 2019.
But the neck injury Hughes suffered during Melbourne’s charge to the grand final left new Kiwis coach Stacey Jones short on options.
Fellow Kiwi playmakers Te Maire Martin, Dylan Brown and Kieran Foran are all unavailable through injury, leaving Jones to send a distress call to the greatest Kiwi player of a generation.
“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,” Jones said.
Look who’s back: Shaun Johnson is returning for the Kiwis.Credit: Getty
“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.
“He’ll bring so much to the camp through his presence together with his experience and his leadership.”
Johnson enjoyed a distinguished representative career, most notably winning the 2014 Golden Boot award after guiding the Kiwis to victory in the Four Nations final against Australia that year.
He has played 32 Tests for the Kiwis to date and last appeared during the Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2019.
Shaun Johnson after his final game for the Warriors.Credit: Getty Images
Newly-minted Dally M Medallist Hughes was ruled out earlier on Thursday, four days after his NRL season ended with the Storm’s grand-final loss to Penrith.
He had appeared the side’s biggest trump card against an Australian side undergoing regeneration since last year’s heavy loss to the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships final.
“Jahrome is understandably shattered and we really feel for him,” Jones said.
“He has had an outstanding year and he was going to play a key role for the Kiwis again.
“He was desperate to play and we thought, with some time on our side, he would come right with treatment, but he has since received medical advice that he won’t be ready to play.”
As well as the absence of Hughes, Brown, Foran and Martin, Jones is without winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, hookers Brandon Smith and Jeremy Marshall-King and props Moses Leota and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Utility and former Golden Boot winner Joey Manu is also unavailable following his move to rugby union.
Meantime, NRLW superstar Olivia Kernick has revealed her disappointment at being axed from the Jillaroos, in her first comments since Australia’s squad announcement for the Pacific Championships.
Kernick had been out celebrating the Roosters’ premiership victory on Monday when she learned Jillaroos coach Brad Donald had omitted her from his 21-player squad for the series that begins next week.
Roosters second rower Olivia Kernick won the 2024 NRLW Dally M Player of the year.Credit: Getty Images
She had appeared a lock for selection, having become the first second-rower to win the NRLW’s Dally M Medal, before scoring the first and decisive tries of Sunday’s grand final win over Cronulla.
Kernick was also among NSW’s best in the inaugural three-match State of Origin series this year, and played for Australia in last year’s post-season Pacific Championships.
But this time around Donald preferred Kezie Apps, Yasmine Clydsdale and Mahalia Murphy as second-row options for the Test campaign that begins against Papua New Guinea on October 18.
Apps spent most of the NRLW season sidelined with a knee injury, though she will return to the field for the Prime Minister’s XIII match against PNG on Sunday, while Murphy has not played for Australia since 2015.
Kernick described premiership celebrations as “bittersweet” after learning of her omission.
“You know what? It was sad and I know what I need to work on,” she said on the Upfront podcast hosted by Roosters teammates Millie Elliott and Keeley Davis.
“I was with my teammates and I actually enjoyed the rest of the day. I had a good time.
“Disappointed for myself, but so happy for the girls and can’t wait to cheer them on. Obviously would’ve loved to have been in there with you girls.”
Reports emerged on Wednesday that the Australian Rugby League Commission would investigate the reasoning for Kernick’s omission from the team, given her stellar season.
AAP
