League: Johns in a Kiwis jersey no joke

SYDNEY - Andrew Johns playing in a Kiwi rugby league team? It could happen.

The Australian and Great Britain rugby leagues yesterday gave their approval in principle for an Australian to join the Kiwis for their 100-year anniversary tour of Great Britain.

But they will be known as All-Golds rather than Kiwis, and they will play internationals rather than official tests. New Zealand Rugby League chairman Selwyn Pearson put forward the audacious plan to the International Federation meeting and said the idea was greeted enthusiastically.

The guest Australian would be invited to replicate the tour by legendary Australian rugby league player Dally Messenger, who toured with 1907 New Zealand "All-Golds".

Pearson used the example of Andrew Johns, acknowledged as the world's best player before injury wrecked his 2004 season, as someone who could tour.

"But it was only an example," he said.

It would depend on form during the season. Ideally it would be the Dally M player of the year [the National Rugby League award named in honour of Messenger]."

Pearson said the Australians had suggested that two or three Australians could be sounded out early in the 2007 season so they knew they were in the running to be picked.

"It was endorsed in principle and depends on budgets and the club releasing the selected player for the tour.

"We are very keen to get it over the line and the [British] are too."

- NZPA