Australian rugby league legend Andrew Johns thinks he has added “something a bit different†to the Sharks set-up.
Johns, considered to be the best league player ever, represented the Kangaroos at two World Cups and played a total of 21 Tests. He first hooked up with the Sharks last year and had a few sessions with Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar. “I was impressed with how much raw talent they possessed,†he recalled. “The sky’s the limit for those guys.â€
Johns told the
Sharks website that his time with the team in Durban this month had been productive and enjoyable.
“I didn’t know what to expect coming here because it’s my first time I’ve done an extended visit with a rugby union team, coming from rugby league, but everyone’s been really responsive to my ideas. What I hoped to bring isn’t so much about skill, because they have that already, just some subtleties, something a bit different â€" I suppose my ideas are a bit different.â€
When asked about the differences between the two codes, he said, “The players are a lot different physically, especially over here, there are some giants. But they are really good guys. I can’t sing the praises of the Sharks enough, the way they’ve gone out of their way to make me feel welcome. I’ve had an absolute ball.â€
Sharks coach John Plumtree said Johns’s input had been invaluable and that their relationship could continue for a number of years to come.
“He is very professional and the way he’s prepared training sessions and the way he’s conducted them have been outstanding. It’s been massive for our playmakers … he’s here to help guys like Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Andries Strauss, Monty Dumond, the playmakers that put ball-runners into space.â€[/b]
