LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The Kiwis' halves, Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown, have made a strong statement in the Test side following Shaun Johnson's withdrawal.
Despite the disappointment of losing Johnson, who was the second-place finisher in the Dally M voting in 2023, Hughes and Brown have shown no signs of weakness in their performance against Samoa in the Pacific Championships.
Hughes, in particular, proved to be a formidable force down the right edge, setting up two tries and scoring one himself, earning him the player of the match honors.
On the other side of the field, Brown showcased his running skills, carrying the ball 22 times for an impressive 193 meters.
Despite the limited time they had to prepare as a team, coach Michael Maguire attributed their seamless combination to their past experience playing together at the Test level.
This strong showing from the incumbent halves has solidified their long-term job security in the Kiwis' Test side, alleviating any concerns about the absence of Johnson.