In, out, in: Johnson gets Kiwis recall

The ever polarising Shaun Johnson debate is on again for Kiwi league fans.

Kiwis coach Michael Maguire admits the star halfback is facing ‘‘a test of character’’ after being recalled to replace the injured Kieran Foran for Saturday’s test match against the Great Britain Lions in Christchurch.

Johnson’s recall is one of three changes to the starting side that held off Great Britain to win 12-8 at Eden Park last Saturday.

Hooker Brandon Smith returns after being stood down for disciplinary reasons last week and Kenny Bromwich – who is back in Melbourne awaiting the birth of his second child – has been moved to an extended bench.

Johnson, who was dropped for Foran last week, has been widely criticised for his inconsistency, stretching back to his time at the Warriors.

A matchwinner at his best but with a capacity to go missing at his worst, Johnson’s reaction to being axed last week has impressed Maguire.

Now it’s a matter of finding consistency, with depth in the halves that the Kiwis have never previously experienced.

‘‘It’s a good test of character to see how you react and that’s in Shaun’s hands to be able to do that by the way he plays,’’ Maguire said.

Johnson has aced the first part of that character test. The Kiwis coach thrilled with the way Cronulla Sharks halfback handled his demotion last week.

Maguire was impressed by Johnson’s passion at Eden Park last week when supporting the team and the way he worked with Foran in the week leading into the game, even completing extra trainings with his replacement to help him prepare.

‘‘When something has been taken away from you, you realise how special that is and I’m sure Shaun understands that.’’

Maguire has been thrilled with the energy Johnson has brought this week but says the big test now is finding form on the park.

‘‘The big thing for Shaun is just that consistency around what we’re after at the highest of levels,’’ Maguire said.

‘‘He understands that you have to be ready to go every time you put that Kiwis jersey on and that’s the standard the players are expecting of each other.

‘‘He’s won many a test match for the Kiwis and there are games where he’d probably look back on and think ‘I could have done a few things here and there’ and the last one [loss to Australia] was exactly that,’’ Maguire said.

Maguire wants to see Johnson

‘‘He understands that you have to be ready to go every time you put that Kiwis jersey on.’’

Kiwis coach Michael Maguire on Shaun Johnson, above

controlling the game, pushing the team around the park and bringing an improved kicking game from what he delivered in the 26-4 loss to Australia late last month.

On the return of Smith – the Melbourne Storm hooker who is equally at home at lock – Maguire said: ‘‘He’s dialled back into his training and his preparation so I’m looking forward to seeing him back in the team.’’

Stuff understands Smith’s discretion was missing a sponsor’s function without informing management after being sick.

A call on Bromwich’s availability will come later in the week but he seems destined to be in the XVII if available.

But it might be an awkward call for Maguire to make.

‘‘Not sure, I’ll probably have to ring his wife,’’ he quipped when asked on the likelihood of Bromwich playing against the Lions on Saturday.

Corey Harawira-Naera has been named to start on the left edge in place of Bromwich with last week’s hooker Kodi Nikorima dropping to the bench to make way for Smith.

Melbourne Storm utility Jahrome Hughes, who came off the bench at Eden Park, is also on the extended bench but unlikely to play.