Shaun Johnson could be a shock inclusion in the Kiwis squad to face Australia and Tonga next month in the Pacific Championships. While it is a remote possibility, it’s not completely out of the question, with Kiwis coach Stacey Jones revealing he was considering an SOS to the retired Warriors star, who bowed out of the NRL two weeks ago.
Jones has a mounting list of casualties in the playmaking positions, with incumbent five eighth Dylan Brown slated for off-season surgery, after suffering a knee injury in the final round of regular season matches for Parramatta late last month. Veteran Kieran Foran, who filled in superbly as hooker in last year’s Pacific Championships but would have been a halves option after a solid season with the Gold Coast Titans, is also unavailable. “Kieran had ankle surgery [on Friday] so he won’t be there,” said Jones.
Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes, who was the standout in the 2023 tournament, is a certainty. The 29-year-old has become one of the Kiwis’ most important players in the last few years, though he’ll need to come through the gruelling NRL finals series unscathed. Versatile Dolphins playmaker Kodi Nikorima is also a playmaking option, with his ability to cover hooker or either role in the halves.
And then there is Johnson. Despite a difficult season – where he battled injuries and struggled for fitness and confidence in a Warriors team that couldn’t find any momentum – he would bring undoubted quality and experience, with a reminder of his enduring class in his swansong match, as he helped to inspire the big comeback over the Sharks. It would be a big call – especially for Johnson – but the possibility of one last international campaign could be tempting.
“I have spoken to Shaun, I said if we get any more injuries would you consider?” Jones told Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB. “I haven’t ruled it out – he hasn’t ruled it out.”
“It’s a bit of a long shot,” admitted Jones. “I know where Shaun is at and I’m not going to put a huge amount of pressure on him but I have just told Shaun, ‘I know where you are at and I know where you sit in my mind’.” Johnson last played for his country in October 2019, scoring a try in the 23-8 win over Great Britain in Christchurch. The Kiwis didn’t take the field at all in 2020 and 2021, due to the restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic. In 2022 Johnson was overlooked for the mid-year test against Tonga, then missed the cut for the World Cup in England after a mixed first season back at the Warriors. Johnson then enjoyed a renaissance last year – with some of the best form of his career – but was unavailable for the 2023 Pacific Championships campaign, after dealing with injuries in the latter stages of the Warriors’ run to the preliminary final. He made his Kiwis debut in the 2012 Anzac test and accumulated 32 internationals. Johnson was part of the run of three successive wins over the Kangaroos in 2014-2015 – which included the 2014 Four Nations triumph – along with the Mt Smart transtasman victory in 2018, while his famous last-minute intervention against England at Wembley took the Kiwis into the 2013 World Cup final.
Johnson's Retirement Backflip?
The Injury Crisis
The Kiwis have a serious injury crisis in the halves and hooking positions, with key players like Dylan Brown, Kieran Foran, Brandon Smith, and Jeremy Marshall-King all sidelined. This has forced Jones to look outside the box for potential replacements.A Potential SOS?
Johnson has been approached by Jones about potentially coming out of retirement to play for the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships. Jones has confirmed that he spoke to Johnson and asked him to keep himself in shape in case of an emergency call-up.Johnson's Stance
[While Johnson's retirement was considered final, he hasn't ruled out a return to the international stage.](https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/09/21/havent-ruled-it-out-sj-retirement-backflip-looms-as-nz-legend-confirms-sos-call-for-pacific-championships/) He understands the situation and is open to the idea, acknowledging that he would need to get back in shape quickly.Other Options
Besides Johnson, the Kiwis are also considering other options. Wellington-born Newcastle utility Phoenix Crossland is in the running for a call-up, while they hope that Melbourne Storm superstar Jahrome Hughes can recover from his injury in time.A Last Hurrah For Johnson?
Jones has expressed his admiration for Johnson's talent and experience, acknowledging his importance to the team. The coach has said that he will continue to monitor the situation and make a decision about Johnson's potential return in the coming weeks.
For Johnson, the possibility of one last international campaign could be a tempting proposition. It would be a chance to end his career on a high note and leave a lasting legacy on the sport. However, he would need to weigh the benefits against the challenges of coming out of retirement and returning to top-level competition.
While the situation remains fluid, one thing is clear: the Kiwis' injury woes have created a unique opportunity for a legendary player to make a comeback. Whether Johnson ultimately accepts the call remains to be seen, but his potential return is a captivating storyline for rugby league fans around the world.
