Retired NRL star Shaun Johnson has broken his silence on a potential return for the New Zealand Kiwis at the upcoming 2024 Pacific Championships.

Aiming to defend their title after last year's upset against the Australian Kangaroos, the Kiwis have undergone a coaching change, withย Stacey Jonesย taking over the coaching reigns fromย Michael Maguire.

Due to injuries to Dylan Brown and Kieran Foran,ย Jones revealed last week that he didn't rule out selecting Johnson and calling him out of retirement to play in the halves.

Hanging up the boots on hisย NRLย career at the end of this season, Johnson hasn't played for the Kiwis since 2019 when he scored one try against Great Britain in Christchurch in a 23-8 victory.

Regarding the potential selection, Johnson confirmed that he would not be playing unless Dally M favourite Jahrome Hughes sustains an injury in the season's final two weeks.

However, if an injury does arise to Hughes, the former New Zealand Warriors and Cronulla Sharks halfback admitted that he would "never ever say no to representing the Kiwis".

"I'm not playing, but I really did have a really good conversation with Stace," Johnson said on the Play On Sports Show.

"It was more around the fact that, say, if Jahrome went down - touch wood, he's on fire and he's got a couple of big games to come up - then they'd be in a real pickle.

"But if something were to change there, then I would never say no to that opportunity. I would never ever say no to representing the Kiwis."

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 15: Shaun Johnson of the Warriors runs the ball during the round seven NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys at Mt Smart Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Andy Jackson/Getty Images)

Predicted Kiwis team for 2025 Pacific Championships

1.ย Charnze Nicoll-Klokstadย (New Zealand Warriors)
2.ย Ronaldo Mulitaloย (Cronulla Sharks)
3.ย Matthew Timokoย (Canberra Raiders)
4.ย Jamayne Isaakoย (The Dolphins)
5. Will Warbrick (Melbourne Storm)
6.ย Kodi Nikorimaย (The Dolphins)
7.ย Jahrome Hughesย (Melbourne Storm)
8.ย Moses Leotaย (Penrith Panthers)
9.ย Phoenix Crosslandย (Newcastle Knights)
10.ย James Fisher-Harrisย (Penrith Panthers)
11.ย Scott Sorensenย (Penrith Panthers)
12.ย Briton Nikoraย (Cronulla Sharks)
13.ย Joseph Tapineย (Canberra Raiders)

Interchange
14.ย Zach Dockar-Clayย (Sydney Roosters)
15.ย Nelson Asofa-Solomonaย (Melbourne Storm)
16.ย Griffin Neameย (North Queensland Cowboys)
17.ย Leo Thompsonย (Newcastle Knights)