Johnson dropped by Kiwis

Shaun Johnson has paid a heavy price for last week’s substandard performance against Australia after being axed for the Kiwis’ opening test with the Great Britain Lions.

As expected, Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has opted to bring Kieran Foran into the halves alongside skipper Benji Marshall for Saturday’s clash at Eden Park, with rookie prop Braden Hamlin-Uele also left out.

It’s a bold call by Maguire. Johnson is a proven matchwinner at test level and has virtually been an automatic selection in the national side since 2013.

But the message was clear from Maguire that the lack of consistency in the Sharks star’s performance last week was simply not good enough.

‘‘We’ve got pretty high standards here and we’re looking for consistency all the time,’’ Maguire said. ‘‘I’ve had a senior group talk about that since my arrival in the job and I think they all understand that.

‘‘I’ve been able to build a strong relationship with Shaun about his game and he understands that too, that consistency is a big part of playing at this level and at all levels. It’s something he’s got to work hard at.’’

That Maguire has been able to call on a player of Foran’s calibre also highlights the strong depth the Kiwis have in halves, with last year’s starting halfback, Kodi Nikorima, also in the squad.

Foran, who is set to make his first international appearance in two-and-a-half years, formed a formidable combination with Johnson in 2014-15 as the Kiwis won three-straight tests against the Kangaroos.

The 29-year-old’s career was then derailed by a horror injury run as well as off-field issues.

But after being part of the squad for the mid-year test against Tonga, Foran built on that with a strong finish to the NRL season at the Bulldogs and Maguire paid credit to his perseverance

to get back in this arena.

‘‘Kieran at his best is one of

the world’s best players,’’ Maguire added. ‘‘It’s one thing he has shown throughout his career.

You see that on the park with the way he talks to the players and how they hold him as a player.’’

If Foran can deliver this weekend and help the Kiwis to victory, Johnson would find it difficult to force his way back into the side for the second test.

But Maguire insisted this wasn’t the end of his test career, provided he takes the right response to the setback.

‘‘I’m looking forward to him going away and developing his game and continually build on what he’s been doing,’’ Maguire said.