Shaun Johnson is confident he has made the right call retiring from the NRL despite a skilful and emotional comeback for New Zealand in Christchurch.
Johnson answered a distress call from the injury-hit Kiwis to lace up the boots for the Pacific Championships after calling time on a storied NRL career at the end of the 2024 season.
The 34-year-old could not prevent an improved Australia from lodging a 22-10 win on Sunday but had a superb individual performance without another recognised playmaker by his side.
He triggered the play that netted the Kiwis’ first try through Jamayne Isaako and kicked superbly all afternoon, putting up the cross-field bomb that helped Will Warbrick keep their side in the game late.
“I felt probably as I expected, probably a little bit underdone,” said Johnson, one of 10 Kiwis playing their first game in seven weeks.
“The weeks (off) haven’t helped me at all. I’ve battled niggles all year like a lot of us do and that’s been well-documented with my Achilles and obviously falling off that load.
“You can’t just go from nothing to get there. You’ve got to build gradual and I haven’t had that luxury with the late call-up.
“(But) I’m pretty stoked with how I went tonight. I enjoyed it, I stayed in the moment and I played some good footy at times. Is there things I can work on? 100 per cent, and I will, but for a first hit-out in a while with a lack of reps, I’ll take a lot out of it personally.”
Johnson took a moment to survey the crowd on return to the field, picking out his family in the stands at Apollo Projects Stadium and having an emotional moment to himself.
As he prepared to take the field for the first of at least two Tests, the Warriors legend knew his career was supposed to be consigned to the history books.
“This whole week has been crazy,” Johnson said.
“Running out tonight, I never thought I was going to feel that again, and I was at peace with that. So why not smile and soak it all up?
“I wish everyone got to experience what I got to experience tonight. It’s a pretty cool feeling.”
Johnson spent the seven weeks since playing his last NRL game juggling media work with parenting duties.
The chance to cook breakfast for his daughters and take them to school has been all too rare a luxury for Johnson across his playing career.
“I got to be hands-on, I got to be present and footy was at the furthest point from my mind through that stretch,” he said.
“I didn’t do too much footy stuff but I did a whole heap of life stuff.”
Family man Johnson remained content with his decision to hang up the boots, bullish on what he would say if Warriors coach Andrew Webster called to float an NRL comeback for 2025.
“I’d say ‘No, mate’,” Johnson said with a smile.
“Or I’d say, ‘All the best, I’ll be there with you but alongside you, not out on the field’.”
Johnson, usually ranked the finest Kiwi playmaker of his generation, was confident in Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown as the Kiwis’ halfback options for the future.
“I’m the third-string halfback here. Like, think about that. We’re in great hands,” he said.
