Joey aims parting shot at young guns
First and last … Andrew Johns stretches as he trains in Brisbane yesterday for his final Test appearance, against the Kiwis tomorrow night. Photo: Paul Harris.
By Brad Walter
May 4, 2006
ANDREW Johns has set himself the challenge of directly taking on the game's two biggest rising stars, Benji Marshall and Sonny Bill Williams, and finishing on top at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night in the final chapter to his glittering Test career.
About to play his 21st and last Test for Australia, Johns said yesterday he was excited by the prospect of lining up against Marshall and Williams for the first time and wanted to leave a lasting impression on them.
"I can't wait," Johns said after the Kangaroos arrived in Brisbane. "They're just so naturally gifted … I think we're lucky that they play our sport. It's the first time I've played against Benji and Sonny Bill, so I'm looking forward to that.
"I don't know how many times I'm going to play them. I'm coming to the end of my career, so I'd like to make an impact on their psyche that they played against me."
While most of the focus will be on Johns's brilliant attacking game, he expects to play opposite the young Kiwi superstars in defence, and hopes that by nullifying their effectiveness with the ball he can help the Kangaroos avenge last year's Tri-Nations defeat by New Zealand.
But Johns, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday this month, warned that such results were likely to become more frequent due to the array of talent available to New Zealand.
"On my edge of the ruck, I'm probably up against Benji and the likes of Sonny Bill … so I'll do my best to try and shut them down, which is a huge task," he said. "It's pretty evenly matched, I think, if you look at both teams and past results. They [New Zealand] just played so well on the night [in the Tri-Nations final] and I don't think they were given the credit they deserve.
"I think for the next 10 or so years they are going to be so strong. If you look at the players they've got now in the NRL, they all get the same coaching as we do, they're doing the same fitness training and I suppose they know how we play inside out."
Despite no longer being Australian captain, Johns will run the show for the Kangaroos. He and skipper Darren Lockyer missed the 24-0 loss to the Kiwis in Leeds in November and their presence at the scrum base will be a huge boost to a largely unchanged Australia side.
"Joey is playing halfback and he'll be the guy who directs the team around the park, that's what he does so well," Lockyer said. "Last year we had two games together. It takes a bit of time to get it where you want it but we both know how we play the game and what we're good at. We'll be looking to accommodate each other and put the team first."
From: http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/joey-aims-parting-shot-at-young-guns/2006/05/03/1146335809320.html
Hagan must have forgotten last season, 3 injuries for the first grade side is sensational!!! Even if Reynoldson, Tolar and Thaiday are all gone for about a month each. And stupid Josh Perry is the only person to blame for his suspension ...
its gonna be a great game... i was really happy about the test selection i just think jonathon thurston should have been given a shot...