Mark Planamente
NormRugby World In Shock With John’s Sudden Exit
April 10th 2007 12:25
The rugby league world was stunned to silence today as one the greatest players in rugby league today announced his sudden retirement from the game due to a freak accident in training.
Andrew Johns, captain of the Newcastle Knights, and arguable one of the brightest stars that the game has seen for the past two decades, organised a press conference today where he announced his sudden exit from the game he loved.
The retirement comes around so quickly due to a freak incident during a training session, where there was a collision between Johns and his teammates Daniel Abraham and Adam Woolnough.
Johns himself claimed that he felt a “sensation” in his leg after the collision which scared him, and after neck injuries a major scare since a round one tackle with Bulldogs forward Sonny Bill Williams knocked him out there was always concern that he might be in danger of serious injury, even paralysis.
After the training incident, Johns received news from medical scans which revealed he had a major neck injury, and was advised that he had to leave the game that he loved to avoid any serious injury.
Andrew Johns has been one of the biggest marquee players for rugby league. He played a record 249 first grad games for his club the Newcastle Knights, 23 matches for New South Wales in the State of Origin, and 21 Tests for Australia.
During the press conference, Johns himself stated that he has still not come to terms with the news that he will not play the game he loved again.
‘I’m still in shock, too be honest,”
“I’m totally numb. It was really tough telling my family. I made an emotional call to my brother Matthew, but it was even tougher telling players this afternoon.”
Now that Johns has announced his retirement, two big questions now loom out of the NRL. First of all, many of the experts will be now considering Newcastle’s chances for the rest of the season. After unbelievable come from behind wins against both the Bulldogs and the Dragons in the first two rounds, the Knights have been flounced by the Raiders and ousted by the Storm, and they look like they have a long season ahead.
With Johns out of the picture, it seems that the biggest question over the Knights will finally be answered. Are the Knights strong enough to still be an contender without their captain?
And what now for Johns? Whilst he himself claims he has no idea what he will do now, all the signs are pointing towards the media arm, which Andrew will be able to shine in like his brother Matt. However, before he can become the media darling of channel nine, it seems that he must come to terms that he will now be commentating instead of playing the game he loves.
And as for the rest of the Newcastle and the NRL supporters out there, I guess that we all have to take fact that we were able to see how one of the best players the competition has ever seen in its history plays the game.
Until next time, sports minds.
Andrew Johns, captain of the Newcastle Knights, and arguable one of the brightest stars that the game has seen for the past two decades, organised a press conference today where he announced his sudden exit from the game he loved.
The retirement comes around so quickly due to a freak incident during a training session, where there was a collision between Johns and his teammates Daniel Abraham and Adam Woolnough.
Johns himself claimed that he felt a “sensation” in his leg after the collision which scared him, and after neck injuries a major scare since a round one tackle with Bulldogs forward Sonny Bill Williams knocked him out there was always concern that he might be in danger of serious injury, even paralysis.
After the training incident, Johns received news from medical scans which revealed he had a major neck injury, and was advised that he had to leave the game that he loved to avoid any serious injury.
Andrew Johns has been one of the biggest marquee players for rugby league. He played a record 249 first grad games for his club the Newcastle Knights, 23 matches for New South Wales in the State of Origin, and 21 Tests for Australia.
During the press conference, Johns himself stated that he has still not come to terms with the news that he will not play the game he loved again.
‘I’m still in shock, too be honest,”
“I’m totally numb. It was really tough telling my family. I made an emotional call to my brother Matthew, but it was even tougher telling players this afternoon.”
Now that Johns has announced his retirement, two big questions now loom out of the NRL. First of all, many of the experts will be now considering Newcastle’s chances for the rest of the season. After unbelievable come from behind wins against both the Bulldogs and the Dragons in the first two rounds, the Knights have been flounced by the Raiders and ousted by the Storm, and they look like they have a long season ahead.
With Johns out of the picture, it seems that the biggest question over the Knights will finally be answered. Are the Knights strong enough to still be an contender without their captain?
And what now for Johns? Whilst he himself claims he has no idea what he will do now, all the signs are pointing towards the media arm, which Andrew will be able to shine in like his brother Matt. However, before he can become the media darling of channel nine, it seems that he must come to terms that he will now be commentating instead of playing the game he loves.
And as for the rest of the Newcastle and the NRL supporters out there, I guess that we all have to take fact that we were able to see how one of the best players the competition has ever seen in its history plays the game.
Until next time, sports minds.
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