Shaun Johnson has vowed to attack his Kiwis swan song like a kid with free tokens at the arcade, confident he is ready for his final crack at rugby league’s ultimate skill tester despite limited preparation.
Johnson stepped back into Kiwis camp for the first time in five years on Sunday evening, almost two months after thinking he’d played his last game.
The 34-year-old admitted on Monday he felt “a little bit weird” putting the New Zealand jersey back on, having spent recent weeks adjusting to life after league.
After initially laughing off the suggestion of a Kiwis comeback last month, Johnson eventually answered an SOS from coach Stacy Jones given the team’s injury crisis.
But the halfback says he enters Sunday’s Pacific Championship Test against Australia in Christchurch with no personal expectation or pressure.
“These are like bonus minutes for me,” Johnson said.
“These are like the free tokens you get at the arcade when you have won a few games.
“I have stepped into this environment in the past where the weight is on your shoulders and you have to be the main guy in the squad.
“I don’t feel that. Whether that is the case or not, I don’t really care.
“I am here to enjoy myself, make the most of any opportunity I get in this jersey again, because frankly I didn’t think it was going to happen again.”
Johnson had completed the near-perfect career sign off in August, setting up a last-minute match winner for the Warriors against Cronulla with his final NRL play.
Jones made contact with him last month, before talks of a return became more serious when incumbent No.7 Jahrome Hughes pulled out through injury 11 days ago.
The face of New Zealand rugby league for the past 13 years, Johnson had long thought his international career was behind him after his last Test in 2019.
“I have always held representing the Kiwis as the absolute pinnacle of what I have been able to do,” Johnson said.
“Organically through a stretch, I got away from it. It happened like it happened, and I didn’t feel I needed to come back into this space.
“I was very content with where the Kiwis were at and the depth they had and halves they had.
“I am in a far different place in my life (now). And these moments I will cherish forever.
“I will absorb today and come tomorrow and our first proper training session, I will feel like the athlete and Shaun that really wants to contribute to helping us win.”
New Zealand’s injury crisis means only seven players remain from last year’s 30-0 defeat of Australia.
But Johnson is adamant he can still make a difference for the Kiwis.
“I wouldn’t take the field if I didn’t feel like I could have an impact,” Johnson said.
“I have put in some work to get myself ready and available. I have put on the kit and I actually feel like a footy player again, so that is nice.
“I know after these three weeks that I am going to be smiling and grateful I had the opportunity.”
