League: Johns cleared for Kiwis

Aussie league great Andrew Johns has been granted a release by his club side Newcastle to play as a "guest" for the Kiwis in this year's centenary test against Great Britain.

Johns had been keen to accept the offer from the NZRL, made to honour another legendary halfback, Dally Messenger.

Australian Messenger played for New Zealand on their first British tour in 1907.

"I have always thought, 'I wonder how good it would be to play behind a Kiwi pack'," he said. Johns was yesterday named captain of the Knights for the 2007 NRL season.