Johns turns down code change to Wallabies

Andrew Johns has turned down an offer to play rugby union with the NSW Waratahs and decided to stay in rugby league.

The Kangaroos captain has accepted an improved contract to remain with the Newcastle Knights.

“I woke up this morning with a clear head after what has been an agonising time weighing up whether to stay in league or accept the challenge rugby put in front of me,” Johns said in a statement.

“In the end, my head told me that I should remain with rugby league.

“I can’t wait to get back on the field next year with the Knights.”

NSWRU chief executive officer Fraser Neill said: “We gave it our best shot but it’s no secret we were up against the NRL, Newcastle Knights and powerful media identities among others.

“We offered Andrew a standard NSW contract after he expressed a desire to play for the Waratahs and Australia.”

Waratahs head coach Ewen McKenzie respected the decision by Johns but was disappointed to miss out on the scrum-half.

McKenzie said: “We’ll never know just how good a union player he would have been and that’s a shame but we certainly respect the enormity of the decision he had to make.”