Johnson apologises to fans for outburst
Star halfback admits he was ‘rattled’ when he let rip at fans and media after Fiji loss
Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson has apologised for the comments he made following the shock loss to Fiji in the Rugby League World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday.
The star playmaker also admitted the quarterfinal exit doomed the 2017 team to carry the tag of “the worst Kiwis team in RLWC history”.
Johnson faced a backlash from angry Kiwis fans when he had a go at supporters and the media for daring to predict the team’s demise. “The most disappointing thing for me is that everyone who doubted us — the fans, media — yous got your way,” Johnson said after the 4-2 loss.
In a statement posted on Facebook last night, Johnson apologised and revealed the past few days had been the toughest of his career.
“There’s no one to blame for how things played out during this World Cup other than ourselves,” Johnson posted. “Over the last couple days I’ve seen the reaction and what’s been said, so I have to set the record straight. We are responsible for the two good performances and we are responsible for the two poor ones.
“We own that and have to live with the disappointment and embarrassment of being part of the worst Kiwis team in RLWC history for the rest of our lives.”
Johnson explained his poor choice of words by saying he was “rattled” by the loss. “I said something that came across completely wrong, implying that the fans are to blame for how we played and that they would be satisfied. I f***ked up. Anyone who knows me knows that’s not, and never will be, me. I take full responsibility for my performances good or bad.
“I want to say thank you to those of you that came out and said hello on our fan days, the ones who brought tickets to come support us, those who sent messages of support and those who yell out whilst driving past or stop when walking by to let me know they still believe in us and me. I’m not looking for sympathy nor will I sugarcoat anything but the last few days have been the toughest of my career. Really appreciate the love and I’m so sorry we couldn’t deliver what you believed we could.”
Johnson saved some choice words for those who continued to hammer him online. “Just a quick note to those who are trolling me behind that keyboard. Telling me I’m over-paid overrated and that I’m the sole reason we lost, telling me to shoot myself. If that’s who you wanna be then keep doing [it], you just know it doesn’t hurt anywhere near as much as losing a WC quarter final, letting down myself, family, friends and those kids who look up to me.”
He finished by offering support for Fiji and Tonga — “our Island brothers” — who face Australia and England respectively in the semifinals. “Would love to see you both meet in the final. Vanaka & Ofa Atu.”