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NRL to help keep Joey
By Barry Toohey
April 25, 2004
NRL boss David Gallop yesterday offered to directly involve himself in renegotiation talks with the game's best player Andrew Johns in a bid to keep him in the code next season.
The injured Newcastle captain comes off contract at the end of the season but despite a belief among some in the game that he will see out his career with the club, there are no guarantees.
Knights officials met with coach Michael Hagan last week to form a strategy to keep Johns at the club amid fears a "curiosity" factor and the potential financial lure of rugby union may see him switch codes.
The Knights plan to step-up negotiations over the next two weeks.
There was also an informal get-together last week between Johns, Hagan and Test coach Wayne Bennett where the possibility of him switching codes was raised.
It is believed Bennett cautiously advised against such a move.
Gallop said yesterday he would be prepared to get involved if he was asked by the Knights.
But he said the NRL will not be throwing a bagful of money at Johns to persuade him to stay.
"Whatever assistance we could provide would have to be within the perimeters of the salary cap but we would be prepared to help if we could," Gallop said. "Obviously, we'd hate to see Andrew lost to the code."
Asked what the NRL could offer, Gallop replied: "He is starting to carve out a career in commentary and we could certainly assist with that but there could also be some opportunities with our existing sponsors which we could explore that are generally dealt with outside the salary cap.
"We would certainly be prepared to sit down with the Knights to discuss it."
Johns' other career options include investigating what are certain to be lucrative offers from English clubs or waiting until the June 30 deadline expires and testing his worth at other NRL clubs.
The Knights star remains noncommittal about his future as he continues with his rehabilitation following knee surgery.
According to his manager John Fordham, the only negotiations taking place at the moment are with the Knights.
"Andrew hasn't expressed a definite direction for his future at this stage," Fordham said. "We have obviously spoken about his options but there has been no indication from him one way or the other.
"We have an offer on the table from the Knights and discussions with the club continue but I haven't made contact with the rugby union or any English clubs.
"That would only occur if Andrew decides he wants to go down that path but I don't think there is any doubt about the level of interest that is there."
While saying the Knights will be doing everything in their power to retain Johns, Hagan said the final decision rested with the player.
"It don't think there is any doubt he has some curiosity with the other code," Hagan said.
"But he has been a huge part of this club and has given his heart and soul to the joint and people should not forget that.
"If he wants to play our code, we are confident he will continue playing here and we are going to do everything we can to facilitate that.
"But at the end of the day, it is a decision Andrew has to make for himself."
As speculation over Johns' future intensified, All Blacks forward Brad Thorn revealed he was considering a return to the NRL - but it would only be with former club Brisbane.
The revelation from the former Queensland and Test back-rower comes just weeks after Wallaby stars Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers conceded they were also contemplating defecting back to league.
"This is an interesting year for me," said Thorn, whose two-year deal with Canterbury expires at the end of the year.
"The next play I make will basically be my last contract. There are only two clubs as far as I'm concerned (the Broncos or Canterbury Crusaders).
"I'd like to spend either a couple more years in New Zealand or have one last crack at league."
Telegraph
By Barry Toohey
April 25, 2004
NRL boss David Gallop yesterday offered to directly involve himself in renegotiation talks with the game's best player Andrew Johns in a bid to keep him in the code next season.
The injured Newcastle captain comes off contract at the end of the season but despite a belief among some in the game that he will see out his career with the club, there are no guarantees.
Knights officials met with coach Michael Hagan last week to form a strategy to keep Johns at the club amid fears a "curiosity" factor and the potential financial lure of rugby union may see him switch codes.
The Knights plan to step-up negotiations over the next two weeks.
There was also an informal get-together last week between Johns, Hagan and Test coach Wayne Bennett where the possibility of him switching codes was raised.
It is believed Bennett cautiously advised against such a move.
Gallop said yesterday he would be prepared to get involved if he was asked by the Knights.
But he said the NRL will not be throwing a bagful of money at Johns to persuade him to stay.
"Whatever assistance we could provide would have to be within the perimeters of the salary cap but we would be prepared to help if we could," Gallop said. "Obviously, we'd hate to see Andrew lost to the code."
Asked what the NRL could offer, Gallop replied: "He is starting to carve out a career in commentary and we could certainly assist with that but there could also be some opportunities with our existing sponsors which we could explore that are generally dealt with outside the salary cap.
"We would certainly be prepared to sit down with the Knights to discuss it."
Johns' other career options include investigating what are certain to be lucrative offers from English clubs or waiting until the June 30 deadline expires and testing his worth at other NRL clubs.
The Knights star remains noncommittal about his future as he continues with his rehabilitation following knee surgery.
According to his manager John Fordham, the only negotiations taking place at the moment are with the Knights.
"Andrew hasn't expressed a definite direction for his future at this stage," Fordham said. "We have obviously spoken about his options but there has been no indication from him one way or the other.
"We have an offer on the table from the Knights and discussions with the club continue but I haven't made contact with the rugby union or any English clubs.
"That would only occur if Andrew decides he wants to go down that path but I don't think there is any doubt about the level of interest that is there."
While saying the Knights will be doing everything in their power to retain Johns, Hagan said the final decision rested with the player.
"It don't think there is any doubt he has some curiosity with the other code," Hagan said.
"But he has been a huge part of this club and has given his heart and soul to the joint and people should not forget that.
"If he wants to play our code, we are confident he will continue playing here and we are going to do everything we can to facilitate that.
"But at the end of the day, it is a decision Andrew has to make for himself."
As speculation over Johns' future intensified, All Blacks forward Brad Thorn revealed he was considering a return to the NRL - but it would only be with former club Brisbane.
The revelation from the former Queensland and Test back-rower comes just weeks after Wallaby stars Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers conceded they were also contemplating defecting back to league.
"This is an interesting year for me," said Thorn, whose two-year deal with Canterbury expires at the end of the year.
"The next play I make will basically be my last contract. There are only two clubs as far as I'm concerned (the Broncos or Canterbury Crusaders).
"I'd like to spend either a couple more years in New Zealand or have one last crack at league."
Telegraph
