NZ eager to give Shaun Johnson a perfect send-off against PNG

Shaun Johnson’s teammates are determined to give the retiring Kiwis legend a victorious send-off against Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Cup playoff match on Sunday in Sydney, Australia.

The 34-year-old is set to hang up his boots after the tournament, having already retired briefly at the end of the 2024 NRL season before responding to an SOS call from New Zealand coach Stacey Jones.

“We haven’t talked about it too much, but I know everyone deep down will be feeling that,” NZ forward Griffin Neame said of Johnson’s retirement.

“I know as it gets closer to the game, we’ll probably have more conversations.

“It’s going to be a big one, his last game, so there’s a lot on the line and I’m sure the whole team will be really keen to do a good job for him.”

Johnson is the only member of the Kiwis team to have played Papua New Guinea before, kicking eight out of 10 goals in a 56-10 rout of the Kumuls in 2013.

Fellow Kiwi Kodi Nikorima is hoping to see one last burst of magic from Johnson in Sunday’s game at CommBank Stadium.

“Obviously it’s his last game, hopefully we can see some ‘SJ’ magic for that last hurrah,” he said.

“I am just glad I get to be next to him when he does play his final game.

“That’s pretty cool.”

Nikorima also shared that New Zealand are not underestimating Papua New Guinea and will bring their best despite not making it to the Pacific Cup final.

“Preparations have been really good,” he said.

“Obviously, disappointed that we’re not playing in the main game, but in saying that, it’s always an honour to represent your country.

“We’ve prepped really well, obviously got to give the opposition the respect they deserve.

“They’ve played some pretty tough games, and they come away with some good wins, so it’s not going to be easy, we know that.

“We have got to turn up ready to go.”

The Kiwis are red-hot favourites to beat the Kumuls, with online bookmakers paying just -1250 for New Zealand to avoid relegation.

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