New Zealand legend Shaun Johnson announces shock NRL retirement

Shaun Johnson retires

While the rest of Australia and New Zealand watched the Olympics on Monday, the Warriors released a shock announcement.

“One New Zealand Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson has called time on his 14-season NRL career,” the announcement said.

Johnson, who turns 34 next month, informed his teammates of his decision on Monday before the announcement went live.

“This is a decision that I’ve sat with for a while now and one I’m probably still coming to terms with,” Johnson said in the statement.”

“It’s obviously still very raw but I’m so grateful to the club and to you boys who I get to come into work with every day with a smile on face. I have never taken any of it for granted,” Johnson continued.

While he was announcing the end, Johnson also stressed that the season is not over. He and the Warriors have plenty to do this season.

“The job (this season) is not over so, let’s rip in and get back to doing what we do but I just wanted to let you all know first that at the end of the season, that will be me (done).”

Warriors are 13th in the ladder with four matches left to go. The betting sites say New Zealand’s chances of qualifying for the finals are practically impossible. Hopefully the club can give Johnson a good send off, even if they don’t qualify.

Legend steps down

It’s always sad when a player hangs up their boots. It’s especially sad when a legend like Shaun Johnson steps away from the game.

The 33-year-old is the Kiwi’s all-time top points scorer with 223 points. Johnson also leads the Warriors all-time scoring charts. No player has more than his 1,131 points.

“There’s an entire generation of kids in this country who picked up a rugby league ball because of Shaun Johnson,” said Warriors CEO Cameron George.

George continued, “His impact on not only this club but also rugby league is New Zealand is something that will be remembered here forever.

“And as talented and amazing as Shaun has been as a player, as a person he’s made just as big an impact here at the Warriors through the years.

“I know Shaun hasn’t made this decision lightly and he will depart with the full support of the club and his peers.”

Any NRL fan knows that Johnson deserves this praise. His consistency for such a big club is almost unmatched. Johnson has two of the Warriors’ top-five scoring seasons in history. Those seasons came ten years apart in 2013 and 2023.

Recently, injuries have slowed Johnson down. An achilles injury has seen him fade in and out of the Warriors squad this season.

If he is healthy enough, Johnson will get a fitting send off in the Warriors’ last home game of the season. Johnson is set to say goodbye in front of a sold-out crowd against the Bulldogs at Go Media Stadium on Friday, August 23.