Rugby league legend Andrew Johns joins Wallabies training after Pumas call on NRL star Nathan Cleary
On the same day that Los Pumas called in current NRL star Nathan Cleary for some pointers around their kicking game, the Wallabies camp have lured in one of rugby league’s all-time greats.
It’s been revealed that Andrew Johns, one of rugby league’s 13 Immortals, has spent some time helping the Australian coaching staff in Sydney after Wallabies halfback Nic White shared a photo of he and the two-time NRL champion on Instagram.
In what was supposed to be a low-key affair, White’s post to his 21,600 followers lifted the lid that Johns had joined the camp, with the Wallabies confirming the ex-Newcastle Knights star was invited to join the squad by assistant coach Scott Wisemantel.
The connection between Wisemantel, who played first-grade rugby league for the Parramatta Eels between 1988 and 1992, and Johns comes through their involvement with England head coach Eddie Jones.
Wisemantel was a member of England’s backroom staff as an attack coach under Jones throughout 2018 and 2019, while the English boss has also forged strong links with Johns himself.
As Wallabies head coach in 2004, Jones attempted to lure Johns into a cross-code move rugby union, before working with the former New South Wales and Kangaroos representative during England’s three-test tour of Australia four years ago.
Johns helped out at English training sessions as the tourists went on to secure a 3-0 series win over the previous year’s World Cup finalists.
It seems that connection between Wisemantel, Jones and Johns has led to the latter, the eighth player rugby league history to be inducted as an Immortal of the sport in 2012, to link up with the Wallabies ahead of their final test of the year next week.
Depending on the result of Saturday night’s clash between the All Blacks and Los Pumas in Newcastle, the Wallabies could still be in the running for the tightly-contest Tri-Nations title when they host the Argentines at Bankwest Stadium in eight days’ time.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Johns was called upon to help Wisemantel run numerous backline drills on Thursday, the same day ex-Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika recruited current NRL star Nathan Cleary into the Pumas camp.
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Currently enjoying the NRL off-season following a grand final loss with the Penrith Panthers and a State of Origin series defeat with New South Wales, Cleary was brought into the Argentine squad by Cheika to help the young Pumas with their kicking.
Cheika is currently an assistant coach for Los Pumas after having recently held a coaching advisor role at the NRL’s Sydney Roosters, and is set to become head coach of Lebanon at next year’s Rugby League World Cup in the United Kingdom.
Pumas head coach Mario Ledesma, who became a rugby league fan while serving as an assistant coach to Cheika during their time at the Wallabies, was appreciative of Cleary’s involvement in the Argentine set-up.
Soaking up the NRL off-season, Penrith Panthers and New South Wales playmaker Nathan Cleary was at Pumas training at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday.https://t.co/EsiM8gszbI
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 27, 2020
“His kicking coach [ex-Waikato fullback/Canterbury Bulldogs and New Zealand Kiwis wing Daryl Halligan] is in New Zealand and he couldn’t come so he offered Nathan to come and give some pointers to the boys,” Ledesma said.
“I thought it was really nice of him to come and give us a hand.
“Being a big rugby league fan I was happy to have him.”
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments