Andrew Johns

This article is about the rugby league player. For the triathlete, see Andrew Johns (triathlete).

Andrew Johns (born 15th May 1974) is an Australian rugby league player. He usually plays halfback, but has played in other positions at times throughout his career.

He was born in Cessnock the son of a coal miner and country rugby league player. After playing junior rugby league in Cessnock, he joined the Newcastle Knights in 1989. He made his first grade debut in 1994 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He soon formed a partnership with his older brother Matthew, who played at five-eighth. He played a pivotal role in the Knights' 1997 ARL grand final against Manly, playing through injury. The partnership was broken in 2000 when salary cap pressures forced Matthew to leave the club and join British club Wigan.

He would soon become captain of the team, and led the Knights to another grand final win, beating the Parramatta Eels 30–24 in 2001. He was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match.

In his career, he has also respresented his country at two World Cups, and one Kangaroo tour, playing 17 games for the Australian Kangaroos. He has also played in 18 games for the New South Wales Blues in State of Origin, captaining the side to a series win in 2003. He has also played for the Country Origin side in 1995 and 1996.

He is often considered the best player of his generation, but has been plagued by injury in the past few seasons, often before or during the finals series. He was the target of a massive offer from rugby union in 2004, but decided to stay on with the Knights until 2006 on a two-year deal, which includes a contract with Channel 9 at the end of his career.

Injuries to his back and most recently a broken jaw have side-lined Andrew Johns for some time. Andrew has expressed frustration at his run of bad luck but remains hopeful of an early comeback.

He is a life member of the Knights, alongside his brother, Matthew Johns.

Achievements

Representative Honours

• Country Origin 1995–1996
• 18 games for NSW 1995–2002
• 17 Tests 1995–2002
• World Cups 1995, 2000
• Kangaroo tour 2001
• He has captained Club, State and Country.

Awards

• Most Valuable Player in 1995 World Cup
• Dally M winner in 1998, 1999 and 2002.
• Provan-Summons Medal winner in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
• Rugby League Week's Player of the Year 1998, 1999, 2002
• NRL Player of the Year 1998, 1999, 2002
• Won Golden Boot award as best player in the world 1999, 2001.
• Player of the Series Australia v Great Britain 2001
• Clive Churchill Medal 2001