Cooper Johns
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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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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).
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
External links
[edit]- 1999 births
- Living people
- Australian people of Italian descent
- Sportspeople of Italian descent
- Australian rugby league players
- Melbourne Storm players
- Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players
- Rugby league halfbacks
- Rugby league players from Newcastle, New South Wales
- Sunshine Coast Falcons players
- People educated at St Augustine's College, Sydney
- Australian sports podcasters