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Battle is now on for Joey
EXCLUSIVE By BARRY TOOHEY
June 20, 2004
SUPERSTAR Andrew Johns' future was believed to be on a knife's edge last night as the Newcastle Knights tried to water down speculation he is on the verge of switching codes.
Widely regarded as the world's best rugby league player, Johns has been strongly linked to a move to the NSW Waratahs for the second time in a month as they search for a playmaker to spearhead their bid for the 2005 Super 12 title.
A source within the Wallabies told The Sunday Telegraph of a meeting on Friday which could pave the way for Johns to become a Waratah.
His manager John Fordham confirmed yesterday he met with the Waratahs, but not in relation to Johns.
"I categorically deny having been approached or having approached anyone involved in rugby union in relation to Andrew Johns," Fordham said. "I can't make it any plainer than that."
Fordham said it was pure speculation that a group of high-powered businessmen, working under the title the Friends of the Waratahs, was trying to lure Johns to rugby.
"I haven't met them. Do they exist? I don't know," Fordham said.
However, there are those within rugby circles who claim Johns has never been closer to a switch. Last month, when it was first revealed that the Waratahs were serious about enticing him across, Johns publicly admitted he was interested.
The latest revelations put Johns and Newcastle in a precarious situation, with a guarded Knights coach Michael Hagan yesterday claiming an agreement had all but been reached with the champion halfback – something Fordham strongly denies.
"We believe we have a firm understanding with Andrew but I'd rather leave it at that," Hagan said.
"We've been concerned at all the speculation to the point where I rang John Fordham yesterday to clarify things and I have attempted to contact Andrew as well.
"John assured me that no negotiations have taken place to link him to rugby and that there is no offer there. We are very confident that he will be here and are working towards finalising that.
"It was only a few weeks ago that both John and Andrew publicly stated he would be staying in rugby league."
NRL chief executive David Gallop ruled out offering Johns a special elite player's contract to prevent him from defecting to the rival code.
"We are not in a position to make Andrew Johns an exception to our rules," Gallop said last night.
"He's arguably the best player in either code, but just like suggestions that we make an exception to get Lote Tuqiri back, I think it would lead to discontentment among other clubs who are endeavouring to manage their salary cap positions."
The Waratahs' first bid for Johns did not get past first base because the Australian Rugby Union refused to top up the deal, citing concerns about his age and injury history.
It is understood that not everyone within the ARU is happy about the latest developments, but they will not stand in the way of the Waratahs acquiring Johns if his contract is topped up by outside means.
Johns, out for the season following a knee reconstruction, refused to comment on the latest speculation.
"I haven't made any decision on my future," he said yesterday. "Beyond that, I don't want to say anything."
The loss of Johns would be a massive blow to the Knights, who let Ben Kennedy go to Manly because they were unable to keep he and Johns and remain under the salary cap.
NSW work on Johns deal
By Peter Jenkins
June 21, 2004
NSW Rugby Union board member Ian Ross has emerged as a central figure in the plan to sign Andrew Johns for the Waratahs.
The Daily Telegraph has learned the push for Johns is being driven by the NSWRU, not a mystery consortium of businessmen, and the aim is to build an endorsement based package worth more than $600,000 a season.
The renewed quest to sign Johns has gained significant momentum despite rugby league's biggest star declaring he was staying in the NRL last month.
It's understood he has reconsidered his position and is again seriously looking at joining the rugby ranks.
The situation has Newcastle officials on edge as they believe an in-principal agreement has been reached with their star player.
Knights coach Michael Hagan has been trying to contact Johns over the weekend to clarify the situation.
"I have left messages with him and we're happy to leave it at that for the time being," Hagan said last night.
Asked if losing Johns to rugby had become a genuine concern he said: "I didn't have any real concerns a few weeks ago."
A key player in the renewed bid is Ross, who is known to have made at least one direct approach in the chase for a series of sponsorship deals that would underpin an offer to Johns that an insider insists is imminent.
"We should know something in the next few days," said the source.
"If anything is going to happen it has to be soon. And from what I hear [the offer] is not too far away from being confirmed."
Test legend Mark Ella and former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, now the Waratahs coaching director, have also been linked to the recruitment process.
When approached on the issue, Ross cited standard NSWRU policy that only the chairman and chief executive were authorised to speak to the media.
"I have nothing to comment on," he said.
The need to raise substantial funds through endorsements - the Australian Rugby Union has refused to provide top-up funds and the Waratahs would be limited to paying Johns $110,000 a season plus $50,000 in match payments - is supposedly where Dwyer and Ella fit into the jigsaw.
They would not be called on for financial assistance, only for their thumbs-up support to the chase.
One source claimed the heavyweight backing of Ella and Dwyer would be invaluable in talks with companies that might consider attaching themselves to the Waratahs poaching bid.
Ella last night denied any direct role.
"I've been asked for my opinion on Johns by a lot of people," he said.
"And I've already voiced that opinion. Yeah, I think he would make a go of it. I'm not talking about the Wallabies at this stage, were talking about NSW, and they need something desperately."
NSWRU chairman Dilip Kumar drove the move to sign Johns until the ARU announced they would not be pursuing the Newcastle star.
EXCLUSIVE By BARRY TOOHEY
June 20, 2004
SUPERSTAR Andrew Johns' future was believed to be on a knife's edge last night as the Newcastle Knights tried to water down speculation he is on the verge of switching codes.
Widely regarded as the world's best rugby league player, Johns has been strongly linked to a move to the NSW Waratahs for the second time in a month as they search for a playmaker to spearhead their bid for the 2005 Super 12 title.
A source within the Wallabies told The Sunday Telegraph of a meeting on Friday which could pave the way for Johns to become a Waratah.
His manager John Fordham confirmed yesterday he met with the Waratahs, but not in relation to Johns.
"I categorically deny having been approached or having approached anyone involved in rugby union in relation to Andrew Johns," Fordham said. "I can't make it any plainer than that."
Fordham said it was pure speculation that a group of high-powered businessmen, working under the title the Friends of the Waratahs, was trying to lure Johns to rugby.
"I haven't met them. Do they exist? I don't know," Fordham said.
However, there are those within rugby circles who claim Johns has never been closer to a switch. Last month, when it was first revealed that the Waratahs were serious about enticing him across, Johns publicly admitted he was interested.
The latest revelations put Johns and Newcastle in a precarious situation, with a guarded Knights coach Michael Hagan yesterday claiming an agreement had all but been reached with the champion halfback – something Fordham strongly denies.
"We believe we have a firm understanding with Andrew but I'd rather leave it at that," Hagan said.
"We've been concerned at all the speculation to the point where I rang John Fordham yesterday to clarify things and I have attempted to contact Andrew as well.
"John assured me that no negotiations have taken place to link him to rugby and that there is no offer there. We are very confident that he will be here and are working towards finalising that.
"It was only a few weeks ago that both John and Andrew publicly stated he would be staying in rugby league."
NRL chief executive David Gallop ruled out offering Johns a special elite player's contract to prevent him from defecting to the rival code.
"We are not in a position to make Andrew Johns an exception to our rules," Gallop said last night.
"He's arguably the best player in either code, but just like suggestions that we make an exception to get Lote Tuqiri back, I think it would lead to discontentment among other clubs who are endeavouring to manage their salary cap positions."
The Waratahs' first bid for Johns did not get past first base because the Australian Rugby Union refused to top up the deal, citing concerns about his age and injury history.
It is understood that not everyone within the ARU is happy about the latest developments, but they will not stand in the way of the Waratahs acquiring Johns if his contract is topped up by outside means.
Johns, out for the season following a knee reconstruction, refused to comment on the latest speculation.
"I haven't made any decision on my future," he said yesterday. "Beyond that, I don't want to say anything."
The loss of Johns would be a massive blow to the Knights, who let Ben Kennedy go to Manly because they were unable to keep he and Johns and remain under the salary cap.
NSW work on Johns deal
By Peter Jenkins
June 21, 2004
NSW Rugby Union board member Ian Ross has emerged as a central figure in the plan to sign Andrew Johns for the Waratahs.
The Daily Telegraph has learned the push for Johns is being driven by the NSWRU, not a mystery consortium of businessmen, and the aim is to build an endorsement based package worth more than $600,000 a season.
The renewed quest to sign Johns has gained significant momentum despite rugby league's biggest star declaring he was staying in the NRL last month.
It's understood he has reconsidered his position and is again seriously looking at joining the rugby ranks.
The situation has Newcastle officials on edge as they believe an in-principal agreement has been reached with their star player.
Knights coach Michael Hagan has been trying to contact Johns over the weekend to clarify the situation.
"I have left messages with him and we're happy to leave it at that for the time being," Hagan said last night.
Asked if losing Johns to rugby had become a genuine concern he said: "I didn't have any real concerns a few weeks ago."
A key player in the renewed bid is Ross, who is known to have made at least one direct approach in the chase for a series of sponsorship deals that would underpin an offer to Johns that an insider insists is imminent.
"We should know something in the next few days," said the source.
"If anything is going to happen it has to be soon. And from what I hear [the offer] is not too far away from being confirmed."
Test legend Mark Ella and former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer, now the Waratahs coaching director, have also been linked to the recruitment process.
When approached on the issue, Ross cited standard NSWRU policy that only the chairman and chief executive were authorised to speak to the media.
"I have nothing to comment on," he said.
The need to raise substantial funds through endorsements - the Australian Rugby Union has refused to provide top-up funds and the Waratahs would be limited to paying Johns $110,000 a season plus $50,000 in match payments - is supposedly where Dwyer and Ella fit into the jigsaw.
They would not be called on for financial assistance, only for their thumbs-up support to the chase.
One source claimed the heavyweight backing of Ella and Dwyer would be invaluable in talks with companies that might consider attaching themselves to the Waratahs poaching bid.
Ella last night denied any direct role.
"I've been asked for my opinion on Johns by a lot of people," he said.
"And I've already voiced that opinion. Yeah, I think he would make a go of it. I'm not talking about the Wallabies at this stage, were talking about NSW, and they need something desperately."
NSWRU chairman Dilip Kumar drove the move to sign Johns until the ARU announced they would not be pursuing the Newcastle star.
