Joey on "That semi final" against Sydney City season 2000. That game still hurts. I've never watched it on tele, I don't want to watch it. We had that game won."

A run, beers, bets and Johns is back in town -  13 Mar 2000 Sydney Morning Herald 
ANDREW Johns's season began yesterday. To the handful of rival halfbacks who have already stood opposite him at the scrumbase this year, hearing that would come as something of a shock. But for the opening five rounds of the National Rugby League competition, Johns has been little more than a passenger in the Newcastle side as he struggled to overcome the effects of off-season groin surgery. Then suddenly at training last Thursday he stretched out fully for the first time in months and the immediate impact was obvious to all who witnessed the 40-10 thumping of Canberra at Marathon Stadium yesterday.  The signs were clear that Johns was on his way back to peak form. You could see it in his kicking game, his long passing game and, most noticeably, his running game. 
``It was the first time this year I've gone into a game without feeling that soreness," Johns said afterwards. ``It's been frustrating because I didn't know, psychologically, if it would be all right. ``But I went and had a few bets and a couple of beers last Wednesday, and it might have been the best thing I've done. I've just got to get my fitness up now. I probably only did a week of running before the comp started so I'm still probably a month away from full fitness. But it's good for my confidence. I'm already looking forward to next weekend."

Joeys return -  Andrew Johns ended any debate about who should be Australia's Test halfback when he masterminded a record breaking 44-0 victory over Brisbane at Marathon Stadium last night.  In his first game since tearing knee ligaments against the Dragons 10 weeks ago, Johns was back to his match winning best. The 27-year-old playmaker scored two tries and kicked six goals from eight attempts for a personal tally of 20 points and was involved in four of the six other Newcastle tries.  "It was good for the confidence, but as I said to the boys in there, there's no reason now why we can't to turn up and do that every week," Johns said. "If you look at the turnaround from Parramatta, that night nothing went for us, but everything fell for us tonight. Holding them to zero was probably the pleasing aspect, given all the firepower they've got. But it won't mean anything if we don't back up next week and put a similar performance in against Melbourne, especially after their performance last night."
"The whole team was under a bit of pressure and it would have been easy for blokes to go out and try to solve it on their own," Johns said. "But the big thing was every person from one to 17 went out and did the job they had to do and didn't try to do anyone else's job."  His relieved coach Michael Hagan, could only describe the comeback as unbelievable. "You can't really put a value on what Joey brings to the football team," Hagan said. "The week leading up to the game was probably as good a week as we've had in a long time. That intangible value he brings is probably 44 points, if you measure it like that. It was just a really enjoyable result for the football team and the club, and we needed it desperately."  Johns believed his performance against the Broncos spoke for itself as a Test selection trial. "I really don't think I should answer that," Johns said. "Whatever happens, happens but wouldn't mind a shot at it."

Season 2000 -  Andrew is not only the best player for Newcastle but, arguably, the best in the game. He is definitely the most consistent, winning the prized Dally-M medal for the second year running. This year has seen the talented halfback break his own single player, single game scoring record for the Knights, with a 24 point (2 tries, 8/8 goals) effort against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in round 23. In the year just ended 2000, Andrew Johns came as close as he ever will to turning his back on the town he  loves. The setbacks Johns was forced to deal with in the last 12 months were many and varied, including the axing of his brother Matthew after a career long association with the Knights. Andrew made a delayed start to the season because of a groin injury, lost his Test jumper for the Anzac Day Test and walked off a beaten semi-finalist after doing enough to win the Knights a place in the grand final.

Broncos set their sights on Joey 
Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns is looming as a priority signing for the Brisbane Broncos as their quest to develop an unbeatable football team continues. 
The Broncos are known to be on the lookout for a halfback, despite some solid displays from Ben Walker, and Johns is a realistic option. Brisbane will be needing a scrumbase leader, as Kevin Walters will retire at the end of the season, but with the likes of Ben Ikin and Darren Lockyer at the club they don't need to pursue a five-eighth with the same urgency. Other halfbacks who are likely to be on the Broncos' list are Melbourne's Brett Kimmorley and Rooster Adrian Lam. Johns is viewed by the Broncos as the ideal replacement for the halfback of the last decade, Alan Langer, who retired from the club last season. Both Andrew and Matthew Johns are off contract and there is already a long queue of interested clubs. Brisbane are heading the charge for Andrew Johns, whilst the Canberra Raiders are also known to be very keen to take him away from the Knights. Johns would transform the Broncos into an even more awesome outfit, and because of the club's strength it is thought he will seriously consider their formal offer when they make one. It is also known that the Broncos have already indicated they will chase Johns with vigour. However, Johns' manager, John Fordham, denies there has been any contact between the Broncos management and himself at this point. If the Johns brothers had to make a decision about their future tomorrow, it is highly likely that Andrew would be staying put whilst Matthew would be leaving the club. 
It will be difficult for the Knights to keep both players as well as their other stars under a strictly enforced salary cap. At this point two clubs are believed to be keen on Matthew Johns, including Canterbury. 

Joey to stay four more years with Newcastle
Johns first played for the Knights in 1989 as a 15-year-old in the Harold Matthews competition and now he'll  finish his career in a red and blue jumper.  Johns asked to extend his deal with the Knights from three to four  years before signing on the dotted line.  "I'll probably retire in Newcastle now.  That is what I wanted to do when  I first started playing here." It was Johns who instigated the decision to lengthen the contract from three years to  four.  "I thought about three years, but then I thought why not make it four years and play my career right out  here,"  he said. 

Johns signs for fours years
Johns signed a $1.9 million, four-year deal with the Knights League club yesterday and he's expected  to succeed Tony Butterfield as first grade skipper next season.  Johns was toying with the idea of joining  Brisbane under super-coach Wayne Bennett but his decision to stay put was swayed by a batch of promising  youngsters emerging at the Knights.   "We have got so many good young players coming through that if I can give them a hand and make them better  players and better people then I know that over the next four years I'll finish pretty happy," Johns said. "When we played in Canberra I went out and watched the under 20s and the reserve grade especially and  really sat down and watched some of the kids that were there.   "I could see what a great future there is ... I don't now if I would have felt the same winning a premiership somewhere else.
 He said he was willing and able to take the captaincy. "With Butts retiring and Matthew (Johns) going it gives  me an opportunity to step into a leadership role on and off the field," Johns said. Johns also hinted he would like to be coached by brother Matthew in the final year of his new contract. It also  provides Newcastle officials with the chance to forge a new-look squad around Johns' extraordinary talents. "I  hope now I have signed that a lot of the young players will stay,"
In season 2000, Johns did well to finish in equal third place for the Dally-M, having both missed a handful of games through the season because of injury and State of Origin representation.  Asked about the size of his trophy cabinet when receiving the Proval Summons Medal, Johns drew laughter by saying he kept all his awards in his underpants drawer. "It's great to win an award like this,"he said. "The fans are the game and it's great to see so many of them turn out tonight."
Andrew Johns remained the most popular player in rugby league despite losing his 2000 Dally-M Medal to Trent Barrett.  Johns was chasing an unprecedented third straight Dally-M Medal as the NRL's best and fairest player, the gifted Newcastle halfback had to settle for third behind Barrett and Kimmorley. Johns received the Provan Summons Medal People's Choice Award for the third year in a row. People's Choice voting for the Proval Summons Medal was conducted through News Ltd newspapters, Big League magazine and the NRL's official website.
"As a player coming through the ranks, I have been very lucky to have played under some great skippers,"  he said.   "Michael Hagan, Mark Sargent, Paul Harragon and Tony Butterfield have all been great on-field leaders during my time and I am very conscious of maintaining the standard they have already set. I'm a senior member of the squad now and I've experienced a lot in rugby league, so it's probably up to me to pass that on to the young blokes. The more I think about it, the more I'm excited by the idea of helping bring the  younger players along and even helping them off the field. If you look at the names of the blokes who have captained the side in the past, it's a massive honour and it's probably something I hadn't really thought about too much up until a couple of weeks ago. Maybe if I'm lifting a  trophy up at the end of the year it might mean more, but hopefully I've got four more years of being captain and  hopefully I can leave my mark as the other captains have in their reign."
The world's most reluctant hooker, Andrew Johns, finds himself in an odd position. Despite being voted the  world's best player by his peers earlier in the year, "Joey" has been unable to secure his preferred halfback  role due to coach Chris Anderson's preference for former Storm No7 Brett Kimmorley. In a way Johns is a  victim of his own versatility, having starred in New South Wales 3-0 whitewash of Queensland in 2000's State  of Origin series in the unfamiliar role of rake.  Johns wants selectors to know he was not content to play hooker. Stating,  "I've trained so hard. I've got a deep desire, I want to have a shot at it before I finish.  I want to at least be able to say I had a real good shot at playing halfback at international level. I'd hate to have to finish and have some regrets.
Andrew Johns, regarded by many observers as the best scrum-half in the game, is paying the price for his own  versatility - and the dying art of scrummaging.  The Newcastle Knights half-back, rated the best player in the  world in 1999, is only the latest example of half-backs being turned into makeshift hookers.  The role will be nothing new for Johns, who was hooker in the Kangaroos' 1995 World Cup final triumph over England, and it is  something he has been forced to come to terms with.  "To play for your country is the ultimate, it's what I dreamed of as a kid. I wouldn't care if I played on the wing, I'd  still enjoy it. - Andrew Johns

Just bootiful  - 20 Mar 2000,  Newcastle Herald
Knights field marshal Andrew Johns is a firm believer in that old saying about keeping your head while those around you are losing theirs. While the debate about who would play halfback for Australia raged on around him, Newcastle's gifted playmaker stated his case with a man-of-the-match performance in the Knights' 30-10 victory over the Panthers at Penrith Stadium yesterday. Under pressure from Melbourne's Brett Kimmorley for the Australian No.7 jersey in next month's Anzac Test, Johns responded in the most appropriate way: letting his actions on the field speak for him. The 25-year-old halfback capped his best game of the season with a superb solo try in the 69th minute, beating four Penrith defenders with a left-foot step, a swerve, then a right-foot step from close range. Earlier, he fired a pass behind two decoy runners to put centre Timana Tahu over out wide (20th minute), and his cross-field kick led to Darren Albert's second try a minute before half-time. He threatened the Panthers' defence every time he took on the line and was his usual busy self when it was Newcastle's turn to tackle. Even when he made a rare mistake, like failing to find touch with a penalty kick, he led the chase team to tackle Penrith fullback Rhys Wesser in-goal and force a drop-out. Johns said pre-game comments by Test selector John Raper that Kimmorley had the inside running had no effect on his performance. `Maybe when I was younger it would have fired me up, but that sort of thing doesn't bother me at all,' Johns said. `I didn't even know about it until someone showed me the paper at the TAB. `I know the first couple of weeks I wasn't playing the best that I could. `But I said last week that my season started last week, so I just want to get my fitness up to a level where I can compete every set. I'm taking the line on again now so I'm happy.'  Johns has made it clear he does not want to be considered as a hooker.  `At this stage, I don't think my fitness would be up to playing hooker ... ,' he said. `Whatever they do, they do, and if I have to play hooker, I'll play hooker, but I'd rather compete for the halfback job. 
 

Brad Fittler said "If he's playing hooker, he's the best hooker in the world; if he's playing halfback, he's the best halfback in the world,"

Joey said, With Freddy Fittler retiring from rep football, NSW and Australia will both need a new captain.  I feel pretty confident I have the ability to do the job especially after my experience with the Knights this year. It's also very important to havethe confidence of the players, which I think I have as well.I've read that I'm a candidate for the Blues job along with a few other senior players and I suppose if I got the nod I would then be a chance at some stage to captain Australia.  One thing's for sure - if I was ever chosen to captain my state and country it would be a wonderful honour.

Joey's grand  -  13 Mar 2000,  Newcastle Herald
He's back -  It has taken half a dozen rounds but Andrew Johns showed yesterday that his off-season groin surgery is no longer a physical or psychological obstacle as he helped the Knights to a 40-10 victory over Canberra at Marathon Stadium. The first visible sign came in the 54th minute, with the Knights holding an unconvincing 20-10 lead. Johns took on the Canberra defence with a burst of speed, stepped his way into the clear, then slipped an inside pass to second-rower Steve Simpson for a try under the posts. Johns convinced himself at training last Thursday after an unconventional preparation the previous day. `Wednesday is our day off so I went for a bet and a couple of beers and that might have been the best thing I could have done, although my missus might disagree with me,' Johns said. `Then on Thursday I did some sprints and that was the first time I've done that this year. `Me and Billy Peden were racing against each other and I got him by a short half-head, so I was fairly happy about that and it gave me the confidence to start taking the line on again.' Johns knows he has not been achieving his usual high standards this season but said he had regained lost confidence. Apart from setting up Simpson's try and terrorising Canberra winger Rod Jensen with towering bombs and grubber kicks, Johns landed six goals from 10 attempts to become the first Knights player to pass the 1000-point milestone. 

JOHNS is back, Kimmorley's out. 
Despite missing the State Of Origin series through injury, Andrew Johns has been selected as Australia's halfback ahead of Brett Kimmorley for this years one-off Test against New Zealand at Westpac Trust Stadium, Wellington. Believed by many to be the world's best player, the rugged Newcastle Knights halfback has played most of his test football out of position at hooker, but has got the nod at No7 after engineering a record Knights victory over defending premiers Brisbane Broncos. "Joey" Johns was the pearl in an ugly old oyster of a Test, which the Kangaroos ultimately won 28-10. It was a stock-standard affair, with few of the Australians playing to their full ability, and even fewer of the Kiwis. The one truly magic moment came when Johns took a flick pass from rookie hooker Danny Buderus, caught it and kicked it off the outside of his right boot in almost one motion, and arced the ball beautifully cross-field for Tuqiri to score.  For the record - Australia 28 bt New Zealand 10.

Johns out of ANZAC Test -  17 April, 2000
Newcastle superstar Andrew Johns withdrew from Friday’s ANZAC Test match with a groin injury this morning. Johns was picked out of position at hooker for the Australian team last night, with Melbourne’s Brett Kimmorley at halfback. But Johns and coach Chris Anderson concluded at a swim session this morning that it would be a struggle for the dual Dally M Player of the Year to get through 80 minutes. Bulldogs’ hooker Jason Hetherington, who missed a place in the original 17, will replace Johns in the starting line-up.

Johns would have played if chosen at half -  18 April, 2000
Andrew Johns told friends on Saturday he would pull out of the Australian Test side if chosen at hooker, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. His groin injury would not have been able to handle the extra workload of playing in the forwards, particularly in defence. 

MacDougall, Andrew Johns may follow Matthew -  9 May, 2000
Newcastle’s State of Origin winger Adam MacDougall says the imminent departure of Matthew Johns could have a bearing on where he ends up next season. Newcastle, bound by salary cap restrictions, chose not to offer Johns a contract rather than insult him by offering a contract considerably smaller than the one he’s currently on. MacDougall is one of 11 Knights off contract, and with Johns certain to leave after playing his entire career with the club, more players could test the open market. Johns’ manager John Fordham has also said that he knocked back Newcastle’s most recent offer for Andrew Johns, and it’s possible the Knights could lose their star halfback as well.

Fit Andrew Johns leads Knights to victory -  14 May, 2000
Newcastle outclassed Canterbury at Stadium Australia last night, running out 30-24 winners. Andrew Johns starred for the Knights, who led all the way without dominating and scored six tries to four. Johns has been struggling with a groin injury throughout this season and has not played in the Knights last three encounters. He appeared back to full fitness last night, taking on the line several times and showing great speed in his running. The Knights took a 10-0 lead early, and each time the Bulldogs mounted a challenge, Newcastle answered with a try of its own. 

Johns inclusion will be only change to NSW team -  15 May, 2000
New South Wales selectors are likely to make one change from the team that defeated Queensland 20-16 last Wednesday for next week’s Origin II, with Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns expected to be chosen on the bench. Johns wasn’t considered for the first game because of an ongoing groin injury, but a brilliant performance for the Knights against the Bulldogs on Saturday confirmed he was back to full fitness and form. The dual Dally M Player of the year will replace Wests Tigers centre Terry Hill, who requires foot surgery and miss the next month, on the Blues’ bench. 

What price is loyalty now?
Author: PHIL GOULD The expert -  14 May 2000,  Sun Herald
`If ever there was a warning the game is sailing into treacherous waters, then surelyit is the treatment of Matthew Johns'.  I have two little stories to tell and some big questions to ask. Story one: On April 3, 1995, I drove to Newcastle in the hope of convincing the entire Knights playing roster that they should stay with the ARL and not go to Super League. The players were a very close-knit group and just wanted to play together. Super League didn't want them all. It had made massive offers to several of the name players and the rest of the club was very confused. I spoke for about an hour. They were convinced that staying with the ARL was the best for everyone. The problem was that the Johns brothers had been the target of huge financial incentives to make the switch. In effect, the future of the Knights and many of their young players rested on where Andrew and Matthew decided to play. I spoke to them. They were young, enthusiastic and ambitious. They wanted to stay and play in Newcastle. They wanted to know they would get the chance to play against the best in Australia. They wanted to play for their country. They wanted a guarantee all their teammates would get a contract. I satisfied all their queries. They signed with the ARL. I am convinced their decision to stay loyal to Newcastle saved the Knights and probably the ARL. 
Story two: September 1999. The Knights have just been eliminated from the play-offs by Parramatta. It's 4am when the phone rings. I am greeted by the inebriated but extremely enthusiastic Johns brothers. They rang just to talk football. They have a dream of creating a rugby league dynasty in Newcastle. Matthew divulges his plan. He is going to set up a football academy in the Newcastle area. He is going to gather all the young footballers in the area and teach them to play the Newcastle way. ``Chief" (Paul Harragon) and ``Butts" (Tony Butterfield) will coach the forwards. Andrew will coach all the young halves and Matthew will educate all the outside backs. Matthew starts to rattle off names of young talent from Maitland, Kurri, Belmont etc. 
There is an annoying banging sound in the background. Matthew tells me Andrew is kicking a football up against the lounge-room wall and diving to see if he can make the catch. Andrew yells out between lunges: ``Don't forget to tell Gus about that hooker from Cessnock."  It is now 6am. It had been the most enjoyable two hours I have ever spent at that time of the day. Last week we learned the Newcastle club had told Matthew Johns it could not make him an offer for next season because it could not fit him into the salary cap. I'll bet all of you were stunned. I'll bet none of you was half as stunned as Matthew and Andrew Johns. Me? Well, I just couldn't stop thinking about those two little stories. They are my favourite memories of the Johns boys. In 1995, they were young, enthusiastic, ambitious and loyal. They helped save Newcastle. 
In 1999, not even the security of fame and success or the years of big-money contracts had changed their outlook on life. Here they were at 4am plotting the next successful era for their beloved Knights. Now, my big questions. Why? Is this what has become of our game? Is this what happens when sport becomes a business? Is this the ``vision"? Are these the values of respect and loyalty we want to use as education for our youth? Is this what was intended when they worked out the rules for a salary cap? That clubs should eventually have to lose their most talented and loyal players because they are too valuable in dollar terms? Is this the final break in the chain linking what used to be and where we are today? 
Matthew Johns looked devastated on The Footy Show on Thursday night when Paul Vautin asked him if he was really finished with Newcastle. Is this the way we intend to get our lost legion of fans back to the game? Is this how we reward loyalty and service? Do clubs hide behind this salary-cap thing to avoid telling a player they just don't want him any more? 
After this, how can any player ever feel comfortable? 
I am sick of words like business, franchise, product and consumer being used to describe our game, our clubs and the people involved. If ever there was a warning that we are sailing into treacherous waters with this game, then surely this treatment of Matthew Johns and the Newcastle fans is the lighthouse telling us that destruction awaits. Please, do something about this before it is too late. 

Johns sparks Knights romp -  1 July, 2000
Brilliant Andrew Johns was again the catalyst as Newcastle sent an ominous sign to the rest of the competition with a 46-12 thumping of the Sydney Roosters at Marathon Stadium last night. Johns scored three tries and potted five conversions in a man-of-the-match performance as the Roosters’ four-game winning streak came to a grinding halt. The Knights took control of the match early and led 20-6 at halftime. When Johns grabbed his third try six minutes into the second half, the result was beyond doubt. 

4 June, 2000  -  Andrew Johns, says if he leaves the Knights at the end of the season, he will likely join the Broncos. "I am still a week or two away from making a final decision on my future but I will say I’ll be playing either in Newcastle or Brisbane next season," Johns wrote in his weekly column in the Sunday Telegraph.

Johns brothers face up to final farewell -  05 Aug 2000,  Newcastle Herald
THIS time, there is no next week; this time, it's for real. When the siren sounds to end today's match, Newcastle's favourite sons Matthew and Andrew Johns will have played their last game together at Marathon Stadium. Wigan-bound Matthew was ceremonially farewelled against the Bulldogs last Sunday, but reality bites today as the finals series continues in Sydney beyond this weekend. If the unthinkable happens and the Knights lose today and other results conspire against the boys in blue and red to knock them out of the finals, it will be Matthew and Andrew's last game together anywhere. Yet neither Andrew or Matthew have given the occasion a passing thought. Their focus is fairly and squarely on the ultimate goal of bringing another premiership trophy back to Newcastle. `Because of all the emotion of last week and because there's so much to play for, there's been other things to worry about, but it will probably mean something more at the end of the game,' Matthew said. 

Joey stunned as loss farewells Knights stars
Matthew Johns was philosophical; Andrew Johns was just plain filthy. That was how Newcastle's most celebrated sporting siblings reflected on the last of their 134 games together in the Knights' red and blue colours. When the siren sounded to end the Knights' NRL campaign at the SFS, Andrew sat in surly silence near Newcastle's goal-line for several minutes. Then he dragged himself to his feet and grimaced through handshakes with every member of the Roosters team. 
First in line, fittingly, was Brad Fittler. NSW and Australian team-mates, friends, and rivals for the title of world's best, Johns and Fittler waged an almighty battle on Saturday night. Johns dominated the first 50 minutes but Fittler, despite hobbling around on a sprained ankle for much fo the match, took charge with a pin-point passing game to steer his Roosters into their first grand final in 20 years. "You can come up with every analogy there is but we got beaten, that's the thing," Andrew fumed. "I still don't know why we got beat or how we got beat. At 16-2 that should have been enough. We should have put them away - played football, keep them away and make sure we score again. During a game, there's times when you have the ball and you dominate but there's also times when they dominate," he said. "In their so-called golden time with the ball, you've got to hand in and tackle your backside off but in their period they scored three tries." 
Johns was especially hard on himself for delivering the pass to Fittler. His two goals from five attempts, compared to Craig Fitzgibbon's perfect five from five, was the ultimate difference between the two sides. "I'd like to have that play again when I threw that intercept," Johns said. "I don't know what went on there. Matty's shattered, Buttsy's shattered. I just wish we could have done a little bit more and given them a grand final." 

Coaches taunt Joey with grand riposte  -  25 Aug 2000,  Newcastle Herald
Premiership-chasing coaches Wayne Bennett and Graham Murray dished out a serve to Newcastle playmaker Andrew Johns at yesterday morning's NRL grand final breakfast. With Newcastle leading Sydney 16-2 at half-time in last Saturday night's preliminary final, Johns was reported to have been whooping it up as if the Knights had already won the game. Asked yesterday what he would do if one of his players behaved like Johns allegedly had, Brisbane coach Bennett said: `I'd make sure he'd taken his medication before the game ... he was obviously on something.' Roosters mentor Murray also took the opportunity to have a stab at Johns. `Joey Johns indicated at half-time that we'd better get ourselves ready for Mad Monday, but he was wrong,' Murray said. 

Captain Joey - 11 Oct 2000, Newcastle Herald
NEWCASTLE field marshal Andrew Johns was named yesterday to become only the second Knights player to captain Australia, exactly five years after making his Test debut. Johns, 26, will lead Australia from halfback in an international trial against New Zealand Residents at Gosford's NorthPower Stadium on Saturday night. Until Australian coach Chris Anderson gave Johns the nod yesterday, the only Knight to captain his country was retired premiership-winning skipper Paul Harragon. Johns played the first of his 12 Tests on October 10, 1995, the night Harragon led the Kangaroos into battle for a record-breaking 86-6 win over South Africa at Gateshead. Harragon only lasted 15 minutes because of a smashed cheekbone suffered in Australia's World Cup tour-opener against England four days earlier, but Johns reflected yesterday on how much that match meant to him and his Newcastle and Australian captain. Johns scored 30 points that night, setting a record which still stands as the most points by a player in their Test debut. 'You could see how emotional Chief was about it,' Johns said. 'At the time I was thinking, "What's the big deal - you just captain the side". 'But now at this stage of my career I can see what a big thing it is and what a great responsibility it is, so I want to do a good job. 'Even though we're expected to win, and probably win well, I've just got to make sure I go out and play well.' 
Johns will be joined by Knights team-mates Ben Kennedy in the second row and Adam MacDougall in the centres, but Matthew Gidley was unavailable because of a knee injury suffered in last Saturday's 82-0 win over Papua New Guinea in Townsville. The peerless playmaker planned no fancy pre-game speeches, preferring to lead by example, and was initially embarrassed when Anderson announced the side at a team meeting yesterday morning. With captain Brad Fittler and vice-captain Gorden Tallis being rested, Johns assumed a more senior player like Darren Britt or Wendell Sailor would be preferred as skipper. 'I was just hoping to get another run. When he said I was at halfback I was pretty stoked, and then he just said, "And you're going to be captain",' he said. `Individually, it's probably one of the best accolades you can have, to lead your country. `Even though it's not officially a Test, I'm looking forward to getting out there and doing my best.' 
The captaincy gig will be a pointer to next year's NRL premiership, when Johns replaces Tony Butterfield as the Knights' on-field leader. Bill Peden is likely to handle the club-captaincy duties, but coach Michael Hagan will put the running of the team in Johns' more-than-capable hands. `I was reluctant there for a while. I told Hages I didn't want the job, but I've decided to do it,' he said. `You can't dodge responsibility all your life. It's about time I stood up and took some on board, so I'm looking forward to it now. `I'm probably at the stage of my career where the next step or the next challenge is to do that sort of thing.'  `I don't really want to harp on the halfback thing,' he said. `I just want to be in the seventeen. That first game at Twickenham, it's going to be sold out and the Pommy crowd will be going mad, so you just want to be a part of those games.'