Johns could be latest Aussie code-breaker

Australian rugby league star Andrew Johns is reportedly considering a switch to rugby union, lured by the prospect of squaring up against Jonny Wilkinson at the 2007 World Cup.

Johns, the Australia captain, is widely regarded as the finest league player in the world and his signature would signal a major coup for the Wallabies if he decided to follow the likes of Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor in switching codes.

All three played in the World Cup final defeat to England, a match attended by Johns who was apparently awe-struck at the enormity of the event as Wilkinson kicked England to victory.

“I know that the prospect of marking up against Jonny Wilkinson is a huge incentive for him,” Johns’ brother Matthew, himself a former Australia Test player, told the Sun-Herald.

Johns is off contract with the Newcastle Knights at the end of the coming season and his manager, John Fordham, will recommend his star client pursues a new challenge.

“Rugby (union) is now a professional game and not only does it offer a financial option, it also allows players to compete on a world stage and that has real appeal,” he said.

“I will recommend that Andrew considers rugby. In fact, we have already had a number of discussions about it.

“I have no doubt that if Andrew decided to switch to rugby he would become the premier back in the world and that includes Jonny Wilkinson. I’m sure Andrew would enjoy that challenge.”

Rogers believes Johns, who worked briefly with the Wales World Cup squad, would have no difficulty making the switch, despite the complex laws of rugby union.

“He’d kill it in rugby,” Rogers said.

“It would probably take him six months to get his head around the game, but after that he would be great. When he plays league he plays a different game to most blokes.

“He is at another level and that would be the same in rugby. We certainly wouldn’t mind a bloke like Joey (Johns) at the NSW Waratahs.”