The 40-year-old accountant will travel over the ditch to take part in an over 40s class in the Australia versus New Zealand Veterans Test Match on April 18 at Taupo Events Centre.

He will then play again for his state and country in the New Zealand Veterans Championships at the same venue from April 19-22. 

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Johnson, who was introduced to the sport by his father as a kid, secured his ticket on the plane after a successful veterans national championships in Bendigo.

"Last year I ended up ranked second in the over 40s class in Australia and from that they invited the top few players in each age group to represent Australia in this annual test match," he said.

"I'm pretty excited for my first time. I played a lot of years in Victorian teams and to finally get to the top of Australia is what I wanted."

The test on the Thursday night will see Johnson in a two-man team to play in singles matches and doubles. In the following days for the NZ championships he will again play singles and doubles games.

"They are pretty strong," Johnson said of the opponents he will face at the two tournaments. 

"A few of the New Zealanders have come over here and they were strong in the Australian championships so I'm hoping I can get to a few semis and maybe even a final depending how it goes.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge in a different environment with different players to play and having a bit of fun."

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