Johnson vows to work hard postaxing
AUCKLAND: Shaun Johnson had a message for ‘‘the haters’’ after being dropped from the Kiwis for Saturday’s test against Great Britain on Saturday — he will return.
Johnson lost his place in the squad after last Friday’s 264 defeat to the Kangaroos.
He posted a message on Instagram admitting he did not play at his best in Wollongong.
‘‘I played s**t and got dropped. Let the haters say what they want cause I’ll never stop working on something I love. Tough days make the good ones sweeter. Lessgooo brothers,’’ he posted.
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire said on Tuesday Johnson’s international career is far from finished — but he needs to build more consistency in his game.
The desire to reward Kieran Foran for an impressive 2019 NRL season, and an offcolour performance by Johnson against Australia, led to Maguire making one of the biggest calls of his tenure, after a focus on consistent performance for his players.
‘‘[The] change at the moment, with Kieran coming in, after our last performance, is well deserved for Kieran. It’s a real credit to him to develop his body back to where it needs to be and play at this level,’’ Maguire said.
Johnson was not alone in having a poor game in Woollongong.
It was not easy going behind a forward pack that was dominated by the Kangaroos, though Johnson struggled with his kicking and decisionmaking.
He made several errors, including the intercept pass that led to Australia’s first try, and did not provide the kind of game management required.
But it is not the kind of decision that is taken lightly, as Johnson is a game breaker like few others.
He made his debut in 2012, and by the next season was a fixture in the team.
Since then he has often been the face of the Kiwis, and across 30 tests has been involved in many memorable New Zealand victories.
But his Kiwis form has fluctuated recently. He had a mixed tour of England last year, but was excellent in the June test win over Tonga.
This is not the end of the road, and Johnson is still the prime contender to lead the halves at the 2021 World Cup, but it is a reminder of the levels expected by Maguire.
But the coach had no doubt about Johnson’s future international prospects.
‘‘If Shaun goes away and works really hard at his game, he has definitely shown he is an international player,’’ said Maguire.
The selection also builds depth, and the return of Foran is an undoubted feel good story.
‘‘He is a great example for everyone and Kieran at his best is one of the world’s best players," said Maguire. — The NZ Herald