ANDREW Johns experienced first-hand what he calls the ‘freakish’ ability of former Wolves star Lee Briers, and the Australian legend is confident Warrington have finally found a partnership to solve the half-back problems that have plagued the club since the stand off’s retirement.

In Kurt Gidley and Chris Sandow, two players ‘Joey’ is familiar with from their NRL careers, the former international and State of Origin representative believes Wolves have a combination ready to excite The Halliwell Jones faithful.

In fact, he says the club’s warm weather training camp in Tenerife is the happiest he has ever seen the opinion-splitting Sandow, while stressing Gidley is intent on proving himself to the Super League audience.

Briers himself described Johns as ‘the world’s best ever player’ but it was the record-breaking former Wales international Wire have struggled to replace since hanging up his boots in 2013.

“They’re different players to Lee,” explained Johns.

“That is what happens when you have got such a dominant half and they retire, it puts pressure on the next one coming through.

“He was an absolute freakish player, Briersy, but they’re different sorts of players and I think that problem is going to be solved with those two in the halves this year.”

Warrington Guardian:

Lee Briers and Andrew Johns at Wolves' Tenerife training camp

Johns, who enjoyed a three-game spell at Warrington in 2015, spent the rest of his career at Newcastle Knights.

There he became close friends with Wolves’ new arrival Gidley, a former Knights captain, and Johns played a part in introducing the 33-year-old to Wire owner Simon Moran.

“Of course I said to him it’s a great club,” he added. “There were times he was over with the Australian team and I made sure he met Simon so that they had a relationship.

“I played with his brother Matthew and I’ve seen Kurt come through from when he was in his early teens.

“I’ve seen how hard he’s worked.

“He was never the biggest or quickest or strongest or the best player when he was young, but he just worked so hard. 

“I’ve never seen anyone work so hard or want something so desperately and look where he is now.

“He played the highest level in Australia, and look at his influence on the club here already and on the players, everyone’s raving about his attitude and he’s going to be a great signing for the club.”

Johns has no doubt Gidley, whose brother Matthew had a successful stint with St Helens in the late 2000s, will have a huge impact on Tony Smith’s young side.

“The one thing about Kurt is – sometimes people criticise players coming in from Australia – he’s here for the right reasons,” said the 41-year-old.

“He’s a great leader. He doesn’t say too much, he doesn’t have to say too much, it’s more his presence and just everything he does. 

“He’s a true pro, the way he turns up but also the way he handles himself off the field, he’s really professional.

“You can see that in the way he looks, he’s as fit as a fiddle. 

“He’s like an Adonis with his shirt off.”

Warrington Guardian:

Chris Sandow crosses for his first Warrington try in the win at Leeds

As for Sandow, who left the Eels for Warrington under a cloud midway through 2015 and made seven appearances in the Super Eights as Wolves' season came to an end, ‘Joey’ says the Indigenous half back is in the shape of his life.

“I think the Super League suits his style and the big thing for Chrissy is when he’s happy off the field, smiling and bubbling, that’s when he’s playing his best footy,” added Johns.

“He’s jumping out of his skin. I have to say physically, it’s the fittest I’ve seen him in years. 

“Full credit to the training staff, they’ve got him really fit and he seems really focused.

“The combination of him and Kurt, I really like that and I think they can gel well together. 

“It’s an exciting combination for the club.

“Looking at him at this stage, I think Chrissy is going to have a really strong season because he’s fit and focused, but the big thing is he looks happy.”

And Johns reckons that stint in a stuttering Wolves side last campaign will stand the former South Sydney Rabbitohs man in good stead for 2016.

“We all like stability and I don’t know if Chrissy likes too much change,” he continued. 

“It was probably a big change for him and I think Chris will admit he wasn’t in the best of shape fitness-wise when he came over last year.

“But full credit to him, he’s been one of the best trainers in the opening couple of months in the off-season. 

“You look at anyone who does that sort of preparation during the off season and it generally sets you up for a good year, so fingers crossed he stays injury-free and can have a big year.”