Shaun Johnson Comes Out of Retirement to Replace Injured Jahrome Hughes in Pacific Championships

Veteran halfback Shaun Johnson has come out of retirement to rejoin the international rugby league arena, replacing the injured Jahrome Hughes for the New Zealand Kiwis in the upcoming Pacific Championships. This marks Johnson’s return to international play after a five-year hiatus.

Hughes, who was initially named in New Zealand’s 21-man squad for matches against Australia and Tonga, was withdrawn due to a neck injury sustained during the Melbourne Storm‘s season finale. Kiwis head coach Stacey Jones expressed disappointment over Hughes’ absence, stating, “Jahrome is understandably shattered and we really feel for him. He was desperate to play and was going to play a key role for the Kiwis again.”

Johnson’s return follows a remarkable end to his 268-game National Rugby League (NRL) career, where his standout performance led the One New Zealand Warriors to a thrilling win over the Cronulla Sharks on August 31. Despite announcing his retirement, Johnson accepted the call to help his national team, citing the opportunity to contribute through his experience and leadership with the Kiwis.

New Zealand’s roster for the Pacific Championships has been markedly affected, with six other key players, including Dylan Brown and Brandon Smith, unavailable due to injuries. Johnson is expected to bring much-needed steadiness and strategy to a squad featuring several newcomers.

The Kiwis will face the Australian Kangaroos at the Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on October 27 and Tonga at Go Media Stadium on November 2, with the final slated for November 10 at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.

In addition to New Zealand’s adjustments, the Australian squad has also been reshaped due to injuries, with Hudson Young replacing Liam Martin. Australia’s coach Mal Meninga has named several debutants for the 2024 competition, indicating a dynamic shift in the squad’s assembly for the competition starting October 13.

The Pacific Championships feature matches between Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga, while other Pacific nations like Fiji, Cook Islands, and Papua New Guinea will compete for the Pacific Bowl. The grand final of the Pacific Cup is set to be played at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.