Cooper Johns (born 14 July 1999) is a former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a halfback and five-eighth for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 14 July 1999 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (13 st 5 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Halfback, Five-eighth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: RLP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background edit
Johns is the son of former Newcastle Knights player Matthew Johns, nephew of Andrew Johns and younger brother of Jack Johns.[1][2]
Cooper was educated at St Augustine's College, Sydney and represented the NSW CIS team. He played his junior rugby league with the Narraweena Hawks before signing with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, where he played SG Ball Cup as part of Manly's development squad. He would transfer to Melbourne Storm at the end of 2017,[3][4] where he was allocated to play with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.
Career edit
2020 edit
Johns made his first grade debut in round 15 of the 2020 NRL season for the Melbourne Storm against Parramatta which ended in a 14-0 loss at Western Sydney Stadium.[5] He had his Melbourne jersey (cap number 204) presented to him by Craig Bellamy with his father Matty Johns and his mother present via zoom.
2022 edit
Despite being released by Melbourne at the end of the 2022 NRL season, he was called up to the Italian national side for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[6] Following his initial selection, Johns did not travel to the tournament. On 18 November, Johns signed a contract to join Manly-Warringah starting in 2023.[7]
2023 edit
In January, Johns signed a one-year deal with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles under a train and trial contract.[8] Johns made eight appearances for Manly in the 2023 NRL season as the club missed the finals.[9]
On 15 January 2024, Johns announced his immediate retirement live on radio. He took up a position at KIIS 106.5 on The Kyle & Jackie O Show.[10]
References edit
- ^ "Matty Johns steps out of limelight as sons make name for themselves". National Rugby League. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ "NRL 2020: Andrew Johns reveals advice ahead of nephew Cooper Johns' debut". All My Sports News. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ "Cooper Johns Signs For Premiers Melbourne Storm". Triple M Sydney. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ "Matty Johns' son Cooper signs for Melbourne". The Sporting News. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ "Round 15 NRL team lists". NRL.com. 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Johns to make international debut". melbournestorm.com.au. 4 October 2022. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ "Cooper Johns returns 'home' to Sea Eagles". www.seaeagles.com.au.
- ^ "Life at home has Johns primed for halves chance". www.nrl.com.
- ^ "The $800k call Seibold must make as Turbo hits NRL crossroads: Sea Eagles Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ Step away for a little bit: Cooper Johns reveals career switch in hilarious social media post Fox Sports Australia 15 January 2024