KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns will put his hand up for a State of Origin rugby league comeback this year if his form is good enough.
Johns, who rejected an SOS to play for the Blues in last year's Origin opener, had reportedly been telling friends of his desire to play for NSW again and tonight confirmed he is considering a sensational comeback.
"I'm going to wait a couple of weeks out and if my form's good enough then I'll put my hand up for selection," Johns told the Nine Network.
"Up until then it's a guessing game, I haven't played hardly any football, I haven't trained too much in the last two months so there's a lot of ifs and buts in there."
Johns' comments come just a day after Newcastle director Paul Harragon assured he would let no-one stand in the way if Johns wanted an Origin return.
Johns currently has a clause in his deal with the Knights preventing him from playing Origin and test football in the final two years of his contract.
"I think everyone knows State of Origin is the ultimate football, so if I did decide to go then the club wouldn't stand in my way -- that's definitely a positive," Johns said of Harragon's comments, but adding he hadn't approached the club about a comeback.
Blues coach Graham Murray admitted this week he would love to have the champion halfback in his side.
"Any coach of NSW would like to see him available. I'm no different," Murray said.
"He would bring to NSW what Darren Lockyer brings to Queensland."
- AAP
