Langer backs Johns' mission with Wolves (From Warrington Guardian)

Langer backs Johns' mission with Wolves

ANDREW Johns is hoping to emulate the success of close friend Allan Langer when he joins Wolves next month.

Johns, who has made 18 appearances for Australia and was the star of New South Wales' State of Origin triumph this summer, was the roommate of fellow half back Langer - known as Alfie - when they played together for the Kangaroos, and he has already spoken to the Warrington legend about his imminent arrival at the club.

"He gave me a ring on Monday night, and he spoke about how he loved it over there," said Johns, speaking by telephone from Australia.

"He played with a few of the guys like Toa Kohe-Love, and says looking back now he really enjoyed it.

"We get on really well - he's a real character and a good friend - and I was lucky enough to play with him and room with him.

"I don't know if I could do better than him here, because he was an absolute champion, but it is definitely in my mind that Alfie played there and obviously left a legacy, so that is the challenge for me."

Johns, who has twice been voted the best player in the world, is renowned for his exceptional kicking game, and the 31-year-old hopes that - together with his other talents - will help Wolves improve as a team.

He said: "I hope I can give them a better chance of success - that's what I want to do.

"My big goal is to go in there, contribute to the side and not necessarily overplay my hand.

"I want to fit into the team structure and hopefully provide a bit of polish with my kicking game.

"To win big games in the semi finals, it's imperative that your kicking game is first class, and hopefully I can bring that and strike up a good combination with Nathan Wood and Lee Briers."

And Johns is confident about Wolves' chances of success in the play-offs, which present the former Kangaroos skipper with the only chance he will ever get to win Super League's Grand Final, after enduring a difficult season with NRL bottom club Newcastle Knights.

"There's definitely a chance for us - a big chance," said Johns, who has already won two Premiership titles with Newcastle.

"Once you get to the semi finals, you can throw form out of the window because it's more intense and there's a lot more pressure, so we've just got to find that right combination together and work as a team.

"Winning the Grand Final is definitely the ultimate thing I want to do there - it's been a disastrous season for the Knights and it would make the season worthwhile.

"This is definitely going to be my only chance - I've extended my contract with the Knights until 2008 then that'll well and truly do me up - but I see it as a good chance with the side that Warrington have got."

Johns, who plans to fly out immediately after Newcastle's last match of the season on September 4, knows his recent sensational form will put pressure on him to perform when he arrives in England, but he believes he is capable of dealing with those expectations.

He said: "I feel like I'm near the peak of my form at the moment, and I get to come over there and hopefully play my best football in the short stint.

"I came back from a broken jaw and played in the second State of Origin game, and since then it's been a dream come true - everything has fallen into place.

"I probably feel like I have played better in my career, but I don't think I have played smarter.

"I know there's going to be massive pressure on me when I get over there, but I've learned to play with that expectation, which is there every time I go on the field, and with the help of the coach, my teammates and the club as a whole I think we'll be fine."

At the moment Johns, who has amassed 1,915 points for Newcastle during his career, can barely contain his excitement about a switch he did not need to think twice about, and he is not the only one.

He says his brother - former Australia and Wigan half back Matthew Johns - is 'carrying on like a pork chop he is so excited', while his girlfriend Cathrine, who was born in Durham and grew up in Wales, will get the chance to return to the town after attending university at the Padgate campus of Warrington Collegiate.

"As soon as it came up Cathrine was over the moon about it, and it's going to be like a big adventure for us," said Johns.

"It's not a financial thing for me, which I believe has been suggested in some parts of the media, and it's a lot more than a warm-up for the Tri-Nations.

"This is a lifetime ambition of mine to play in the UK, and it's a dream come true.

"I decided straight away that I wanted to come, and I honestly can't wait."