Joey retirement rumours rife
By staff writers and wires
April 10, 2007 SPECULATION that Newcastle Knights captain Andrew Johns might retire from rugby league today is rife after the club called a press conference on his future.
Johns was due to front a 1pm (AEST) press conference at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales, where the results of scans on his injured neck were to be revealed.
However, Johns's manager, John Fordham, addressed the gathered media to say any announcement had been delayed until 4pm (AEST).
"Andrew had a cat scan done this morning and that's been looked at by Professor Yeo and (Newcastle club doctor) Neil Halpin, with Andrew," Fordham said.
"There are still some considerations being made about the findings of the scan.
"No decision has been made yet in relation to his future football career but that will be determined in the next hour or so."
Asked if the delay meant the scan results on the former Australia captain were of more concern than initially though, Fordham said: "No.
"It's a process that's obviously very important because it's dealing with his ongoing football career."
Johns, 32, aggravated a neck injury in a collision at training last Thursday after initially hurting it in his team's loss to Canberra Raiders last Monday.
Johns has a history of neck injuries. He was forced to miss the last five matches of the 2003 season because of a bulging disc, which threatened to end his career at the time.
The two-time NRL Premiership winner is contracted to play with the Knights until the end of the 2008 season but was expected to make a decision on whether he would play on again next season midway through this year.
"We just can't speculate the outcome of the scans," Fordham told Sydney tabloid The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"I have spoken with Andrew and he is very reasoned."
"He understands the situation and that the outcome of the tests will have a determining influence on his football career."
"He is certainly aware that it is a serious matter."
Johns has played club record 249 first grade games for the Knights as well as playing 23 matches for New South Wales, 21 Tests for Australia and was a member of the Kangaroos' 1995 and 2000 World Cup-winning teams.
Johns also had a brief stint with English club Warrington, where he played three matches for the Wolves in 2005.
