Matthew Johns

Newcastle pivot formed a lethal partnership with younger brother Andrew at the Knights’ scrumbase. A tough, intelligent player Matthew Johns made his State of Origin debut as partner to his brother in the opening match of the 1995 series. In the absence of an injured Brad Fittler NSW lost the tryless match 2-0 and despite not being used in the remaining two matches Johns beat his talented younger brother to a Test jersey when chosen as a reserve for the final two Tests of the Trans Tasman series. On the World Cup trail at season’s end Matthew Johns played against Great Britain, South Africa and NZ but was a non-playing reserve in the final won by Australia. His next Test appearance was against Fiji during the 1996 season when Super League players were not considered for selection. Newcastle’s grand final win against Manly in 1997 provided Johns with his career highlight and he continued to be among the game’s most resilient competitors at club level. Johns played in two Tests in 1999 - against Great Britain in the Tri-Nations competition and as five-eighth in the 22-20 win over NZ in the final. One of Newcastle’s favourite sons, his forced departure from the club at the end of the 2000 season because of salary cap restrictions caused a public outcry in the ‘Steel City’ but he reluctantly went to England to see out his career. (Johns turned down the chance to play for Wales in the 2000 World Cup because he didn’t want to cheapen his career achievements). After leading English club Wigan in its Super League grand final loss to Bradford, Johns secured a release from the second year of his contract to return to Australia and spent the final season of his career with Cronulla. Johns retired because of a chronic neck injury at the end of 2002 and has since made his mark in the Sydney media with Channel 9.