League: Snap up the chance, Kenny tells Johns

SYDNEY - The man who inspired Andrew Johns' controversial Warrington league stint says he can understand why the New South Wales halfback wants to miss a test to play in the English grand final.

Johns said he had wanted to play in England since watching Parramatta legend Brett Kenny's successful 1985 stay at Wigan.

That opportunity came when Warrington offered Johns a lucrative stint of up to six games, which may include an appearance in the English Super League grand final, held the same day as Australia's October 15 test against New Zealand.

Johns has indicated he will seek a test exemption to play in the English final if Warrington qualify.

Test hardman Gorden Tallis said if the Australian Rugby League granted the exemption, it would "cheapen the Australian jersey".

But Kenny has backed the 31-year-old Johns, saying he should snap up the chance to play in an English final.

"I can understand his situation. He always wants to play for his country, but this is just something that has come along. He can't really say no - you can't knock the bloke for that," he said.

"Look at it this way, he's played for Australia, he's achieved that and knows what it is like.

"But playing in England is something he has always wanted to do and has never experienced before.

"This is an ideal situation for him.

"He's always said he wanted to go to England to play club football, but the thing that concerned him was that he loved his summer in Australia.

"But here's an opportunity where he can go over there and see if he can be successful in England and be there for only six weeks - he can still enjoy the Australian summer."

Kenny scored two tries in Wigan's Challenge Cup final win over Hull, becoming the first Australian to win the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match.

Kenny said it was still one of the highlights of his career.

"It was a great experience for me. I played over there in Kangaroo tours like Joey, but to go over there and play club footy is completely different," he said.

"Playing in the Challenge Cup at Wembley, that's one of the highlights of my career, something I will always remember."

- AAP