Italian international rugby league footballer
Jack Johns (born 15 October 1997) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row forward.
He previously played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League and has represented Italy at international level.
Background
Johns was born in Newcastle, New South Wales , Australia. He is of Italian descent from his mother's side.[ 2] [ 3]
He played his junior rugby league for the Harbord United Devils .[ 4]
Johns is the son of former Newcastle Knights player and Australian international Matthew Johns , and the nephew of rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns .[ 5]
His brother Cooper Johns previously played for the Melbourne Storm .[ 6]
Playing career
Early career
After finishing up with Harbord, Johns played for the Peninsula Seagulls in the Sydney Shield , where he was coached by Craig Gower .[ 7]
2017
In 2017, Johns joined the Newcastle Knights , the same club his father Matthew and uncle Andrew had played over a combined 400 matches for, and won a premiership together with in 1997 .[ 8] 2017 Holden Cup (Under-20s) team.[ 9] Italian national squad for the 2017 World Cup .[ 10] [ 11] halfback in Italy's match against Ireland , suffering a broken arm in the second half which ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament.[ 12] [ 13]
2018
In 2018, Johns alternated between the Knights' Intrust Super Premiership NSW team and the Western Suburbs Rosellas in the Newcastle Rugby League .[ 14] [ 15]
2019
In 2019, Johns joined South Sydney . On 15 August, it was announced that Johns had signed a contract extension with Souths keeping him at the club until the end of 2020.[ 16] [ 17]
2020
In round 11 of the 2020 NRL season , Johns made his first grade debut for South Sydney against the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium .
In November, Johns was released by South Sydney and subsequently signed a one-year development contract with Newcastle for the 2021 season.[ 18] [ 19]
2021
In round 13 of the 2021 NRL season , he made his club debut for Newcastle in a 40-4 loss against Parramatta.[ 20]
2023
After playing 14 games for the Newcastle club, Johns parted ways with the club at the end of the 2023 season.[ 21]
References
^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Jack Johns - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project" . www.rugbyleagueproject.org . Retrieved 1 November 2017 . ^ "The Johns Linage Set To Continue In Azzurri At World Cup" . 5 October 2017.^ "Jack Johns, son of Matty, in line to make international rugby league debut for Italy" . www.dailytelegraph.com.au . Retrieved 20 October 2017 .^ "Jack Johns" . newcastleknights.com.au.^ "Johns' son, Jack, set to burst onto the international scene at World Cup" . 24 August 2017.^ "Matty Johns steps out of limelight as sons make name for themselves" . National Rugby League . 20 August 2020.^ "Jack Johns starts new chapter at Knights" . newcastleknights.com.au. 14 November 2016.^ "Matty Johns' son Jack Newcastle Knights contract signed" . Fox Sports . 11 November 2016.^ "J" . NYC Database. Retrieved 20 October 2017 .^ "Jack Johns follows in his father's footsteps and joins list of rugby league internationals" . www.dailytelegraph.com.au . Retrieved 20 October 2017 .^ "Italy name World Cup squad - Zero Tackle" . 5 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017 .^ Nicolussi, Christian (29 October 2017). "Ireland defeat Italy 36-12 in Rugby League World Cup boilover" . news.com.au. Retrieved 1 November 2017 . ^ "Casualty Ward: Jake Trbojevic, Jack Johns, Gerard Beale ruled out of Rugby League World Cup" . Daily Telegraph. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017 .^ "Johns name back on Real NRL team sheet" . 13 July 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018 .^ TOOHEY, BARRY (6 October 2018). "COLUMN - Toohey's News – Eels veteran Jennings in Knights sights" . Retrieved 6 October 2018 . ^ "Young stars on show in Albury for Rabbitohs trial" . National Rugby League . 12 February 2019.^ "Rabbitohs sign exciting young stars" . South Sydney Rabbitohs .^ "Green backflips on Bulldogs switch, Souths release seven" . www.foxsports.com.au .^ "Rabbitohs release gun to Warriors, Johns signs with Knights" . www.foxsports.com.au .^ "Milestone men Gutho and Sivo shine; Over-keen Knights 'panic' on old boys day: 3 Big Hits" . www.foxsports.com.au .^ "Kalyn Ponga claims 2023 Danny Buderus Medal" . Newcastle Knights . 5 September 2023.
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