ACKERMERC

Sport Nation: Selfless sacrifice enhances Shaun Johnson’s legacy as Kiwis legend

Some people adore him. Other people think he’s an overrated prima donna. But no one is indifferent to Shawn Johnson.

He retired from rugby league in the best way possible. That last touch for the Warriors to seal a stunning comeback win over the Sharks. Absolutely phenomenal.

He said he wasn’t going to play for the Kiwis unless desperation stations arrive. Then I’d think about it. But it’s not my time, it’s theirs.

He is needed. We’ve reached those desperation stations. No Jahrome Hughes is a massive blow. But before that, there was already no Dylan Brown. There’s no Kieran Foran. No Te Maire Martin. The depths within the halves was beyond tested, they were stretched to breaking point.

Obviously, a lot of people are excited about the concept of Shaun Johnson coming out of retirement to represent the Kiwis. He is, of course, the Kiwi’s top point-scorer of all time. He’s had some magic moments in that black and white jersey.

There’s also many saying- it’s time to move on. He’s done. He’s retired. Why are we bringing him back? Blood somebody new.

My question is – who? Who do you bring in when the top four options are gone. You’ve got Kodi Nikorima in there. Perhaps someone like newcomers Trent Toelau or Phoenix Crossland may find themselves in the halves. Who knows.

But they are not in that stage of their career when they should be handed the No. 7 jersey to lead this country, if there is the chance to bring in somebody who has a proven record of leading this country like Shaun Johnson.

Yes, he’s retired and he could easily have stayed retired. He could have said no and everyone would’ve understood. Those who said this is an ego thing and he’s just trying to get another few minutes in the sun – if that were the case, he would have said yes originally.

He didn’t. He said no. He was allowing that moment to pass.

Do you know who else received an SOS and came out of retirement to do something for this country? The current coach – Stacey Jones.

In 2005, he was already retired as an international player. He agreed, after ‘Bluey’ McLennan gave him a little tap on the shoulder, to make himself available for those first two games in Australia, but insisted he wouldn’t join the team on their end-of-year tour.

Injuries to Benji Marshall and Thomas Leuluai had left the cupboard bare and Stacey Jones was convinced that his country needed him. He stepped up and he helped New Zealand win their first ever major trophy, beating Australia 24-0 in that Tri-Nations final.

It goes down in history. Stacey Jones knows what that takes.

Shaun Johnson is coming out of retirement, not because he has any boxes left to tick. He’s stepping up and putting that special last-touch memory on the line to be there when his country needs him.

He may be a champion. He may come through and turn this around for New Zealand. It may not come off.

Either way, when I see Shaun Johnson, I see a man who stepped up when his country called for him, and that’s good enough for me.

Article was published on SportNation