Johns in a league of his own

Johns proved too strong for Great Britain last year

Andrew Johns has been setting the rugby league world alight from the moment his studs first took to the field.

And it should come as no surprise that he has been named the world's best player, by the Rugby League World magazine, for a record-breaking second time.

On his first-class debut for the Newcastle Knights in 1994, he scored a record tally of points - 23- for a player making his first Premiership start.

The greatest player in rugby league history

Shaun Edwards

Since then, in a total of 168 appearances for the Knights, the player nicknamed 'Joey' has notched up a total of 1,436 points, including 54 tries.

Johns' club heroics earned him international recognition and, despite just 16 matches at Test level, he has been central to the Kangaroos' continued domination of world rugby league.

He was named the player of the tournament at the 1995 World Cup as well as man of the match in the final.

Earlier that year, he set a record for points on an international debut when he scored 30 against South Africa.

Career highlight

Two of his more memorable moments at club level saw him win Premiership medals in 1997 and again last year.

Back in 1997 in the ARL decider against Manly, the Knights had been destined for defeat.

But, with a minute to spare, Johns broke down the blindside and opened the way for Darren Albert to score the decisive try.

Johns still rates it as his career highlight, having come back from a broken rib and punctured lung to start the match.

Four years later he was an ever more potent force, marshalling his side to victory over Parramatta in the Grand Final.

Johns has been central to the Knights' success

Johns' latest accolade is not his first such award.

He first picked up the prize, voted for by British, Australian and New Zealand journalists, back in 1999.

He is the first double-winner of the award, joining a star-studded list of previous winners, among them James Raper, Peter Sterling, his own childhood hero, and Shaun Edwards.

Edwards, who was been very public in his support of Johns in the past, simply described him as "the greatest player in rugby league history".

The 27-year-old half-back, who has also represented his country at hooker, will pick up his award later this month.

And the stage looks set for another Johns spectacular when Newcastle visit England to tackle Bradford Bulls in the World Club Championship on 1 February.