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Johnson hopes World Cup can finally write off his debt with the bank of mum and dad
Sam Johnson hopes to finally write off his debt with the bank of mum and dad at the World Cup. The Glasgow centre will be forever grateful for the endless hours put in by his parents Peter and Leanne while he was a youngster as they ensured he made the most of his talents.
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Whether it be the time given up to ferry him to and from training sessions or the financial cost of paying for expensive trips abroad, the 26-year-old knows the support he received was worth its weight in gold. Now the Australia-born tartan convert – who qualified last year after chalking up three years with Warriors – is looking forward to settling what he owes his family as they make the trip of a lifetime to see him in action in Japan.
The Queenslander said: “My mum and dad are going to head out for the first couple of weeks then my girlfriend Eilidh is flying out for the later stages. This tournament is not just an experience for me, it’s an experience for them as well. They are really looking forward to getting out to Japan.
“I see what I’m doing not only as something for me to enjoy but a journey that the people close to me can experience too. Going to the World Cup is payback for them. When you are a young kid, you rely on your parents to drive you to training.
“While you’re running about, they are sitting in the car for a couple of hours at a time. When you get older there is a financial aspect too. There were trips away and rugby tours to be paid for. So it’s great that I can repay them in a way of giving them the chance to go to Japan with me.”
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The family have already put the miles in making the journey from down under to Murrayfield to see their son make his debut during this year’s Six Nations. The emotion of seeing those he holds dearest in the stands helped produce a supercharged display against Italy. And he hopes having them close again will produce a similar result when Scotland kick-off their tournament against Ireland in Yokohama on September 22.
“I remember making my debut against Italy and seeing my family as well as my girlfriend’s family in the crowd,” he said. “It struck me then that I wasn’t just doing this for myself. It’s for your family and your country. That’s a pretty special thing and the emotion really drives you on.”
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Johnson’s path to the Test stage has had more twists and turns than the average family soap opera. He struggled to settle in Glasgow at first following his move from Queensland Reds in 2015. After rediscovering his best form for Dave Rennie’s squad, he was rewarded with his first Scotland start against the Azzurri earlier this year. But after featuring in defeats to Ireland and France he was left in the stand as the Scots slumped to a third straight defeat against Wales in Edinburgh.
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However, he was back in Townsend’s team for the trip to Twickenham and played a vital role – as well as scoring his first international try – in the thrilling 38-38 draw with England. He has already been tipped to start in midfield alongside Duncan Taylor but, given the roller-coaster ride he has been on to this point, Johnson is refusing to take his place for granted.
He said: “There was no better test for me to show I was ready for a World Cup than proving myself on the Six Nations stage. Having those experiences before now has been invaluable. There are four quality centres and we’re all chomping at the bit to get out there.
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“Whoever ends up being the starting combination will have had to work hard to grab that slot. There’s a pretty good blend there and real quality, which you can see from the fact that top players like Huw Jones and Rory Hutchinson missed out. Now it’s up to the coaching staff to see what works best.”
– Press Association
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Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments