Superstar playmaker Shaun Johnson is returning to the international arena for the first time in five years, after coming out retirement to replace Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes for the Kiwis.
Hughes was initially named in New Zealand’s 21-man squad for the Pacific Championships against Australia and Tonga but he was ruled out on Thursday with a neck injury picked up late in the Storm’s season.
Johnson’s return will see him revive his Test career in the Kiwis’ opening Pacific Championships game against Australia in Christchurch on 27 October.
Coincidentally it was at this same venue that Johnson played the last of his 32 Tests in the Kiwis’ series-winning 23-8 win over Great Britain in 2019.
