LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a shocking turn of events, Shaun Johnson has performed a remarkable backflip by coming out of early retirement to represent New Zealand after Jahrome Hughes pulled out of the team, adding to the chaos in the NRL.
Hughes, who bravely played through a painful neck injury in the NRL grand final, has unfortunately been forced to withdraw from the squad, leaving fans and officials in disbelief.
The New Zealand Kiwis were initially hopeful that Hughes would recover in time for the upcoming Pacific Championships, but it was not meant to be.
With their options limited in the halves, the Kiwis turned to veteran playmaker Johnson, who had previously announced his retirement from the NRL but will now don the No.7 jersey for his country in his final two games of rugby league.
Despite initial hopes for Hughes' recovery, further testing revealed that he would not be fit to play in the upcoming tournament.
The Kiwis expressed their disappointment in a statement, acknowledging that Hughes' injury had proven to be more serious than expected.
The NRL world is buzzing with this latest development, as Johnson's return to the international stage adds a touch of drama to the already tumultuous season.
The sporting community will be keeping a close eye on how this unexpected twist plays out on the rugby league field.