"We spoke about it [a lot]," said Johnson. "Every second we got, we would remind each other that we are sick of losing. The frustration had been building [and] we just wanted to beat them."
Johnson and Foran had outstanding games in that 30-12 victory, and the halfback has been arguably the most influential player across the current three-game winning streak over the Australians. He has scored crucial tries in each victory, contributed two other try assists and been involved for another five touchdowns.
Remember the dancing feet, sidesteps and then a huge pass for Manu Vatuvei in the 2014 Four Nations final? Or the burst of pace that left Greg Inglis for dead in the same game? He helped create both of Vatuvei's tries last year in Brisbane, before breaking Australian resolve with a typical solo effort close to halftime.
Tonight, Johnson will be in the spotlight again - probably more than ever. He is the only experienced member of a makeshift spine, and the absence of Foran and Issac Luke means all the kicking responsibilities rest on his shoulders. The Kangaroos will target him relentlessly, aware he is the only genuine playmaker in the Kiwis side.
But Johnson, for all the questions over his inconsistent displays at club level, rarely lets down his country.
Since his test debut, only one dud display comes to mind - the 2013 World Cup final, when more than half the team were off their game. Otherwise he has always risen to the occasion.
Johnson thrives in the Kiwis environment, where he is just one of the boys, rather than the central focus as happens at Mt Smart.
Coach Stephen Kearney also knows how to get the best out of him, and he enjoys playing behind the current New Zealand pack, arguably one of the best in Kiwis history.
"We'll be trying to lay a good platform for guys like Shaun to do their thing," said Jason Taumalolo. "If we can do that, I'm sure Shaun will enjoy all the time and space to run around. He is a good ball runner as much as a playmaker, so if we can give him the space he needs, he can pull off the [kind of] plays he is capable of."
Johnson is also building a remarkable test try scoring record. He has already scored eight in just 14 tests, a strike rate superior to any Kiwis halfback of the modern era. By the end of this year, Johnson could overtake both Stacey Jones (12 tries) and Gary Freeman (10), and go on to set records that may never be broken.
The Johnson effect
In the three successive wins over Australia, the Kiwis have scored a total of 13 tries. Of those, Shaun Johnson has:
- Scored three tries
- Contributed two try assists
- Been directly involved in five others (made the third-last or penultimate pass, or kicked, in a try-scoring movement).
