ANDREW Johns emerged from hiding last night to honour a long-term promise to coach La Perouse United rugby league team - complete with its 15 Aboriginal and two white players.
The man at the centre of the State of Origin racism storm coached the team to keep his word following the death of one of the club's players.
The timing of the session reeks of a publicity stunt to counter public condemnation of Johns' disgraceful remarks in the Blues camp last week, which led to an offended Timana Tahu walking out.
But it can be revealed Johns' links to the club long pre-dated last week's scandal. Christopher Lyons, an indigenous rugby league player, died in a trial game earlier this year.
Johns was so moved when he heard of the player's death that he rang the team's coach, Troy Rugless, back in April to offer support.
Video: Joey at La Perouse.
"Put me down for a fundraiser or I'll help out with some coaching," Johns told the coach at the time.
When the furore erupted over the Tahu affair, Rugless contacted Johns and asked, since he would not be in Brisbane, whether he would come to La Perouse.
So instead of being at Ballymore to put the Blues through their final session for tonight's Origin blockbuster, Johns turned up at Yarra Oval, near the shores of Botany Bay last night.
No television cameras, no radio stations, no sign of his agent John Fordham. No quotes, no set-up photos. We took our pictures from a distance.
The Daily Telegraph discovered Johns' secret engagement via a tip-off from a Souths junior rugby league source.
When approached, all Johns would say is: "Look, I've only got myself to blame for being here and not in Brisbane but I'm glad to be helping the boys out."
He trained the A-grade side for about an hour, taking them through passing and running skills.
He signed autographs for the young Aboriginals from the under-15's who had trained beforehand.
Rugless, who is part Aboriginal himself, said the players were honoured to have the dumped Blues assistant coach at training, despite his comments at a team bonding session that led to his standing down from the Blues.
