Joey and the English Press part
company

The English press's love affair with Andrew Johns appears over.

And the Australian playmaker looks set to break more British hearts in the Tri Nations series after finally being named in the Australian Rugby League train-on squad on Monday.

The English press appeared to turn on Johns after his goal of claiming the Super League title crashed and burned when his club Warrington was thrashed 40-6 by Hull in their elimination final.

The end of his English campaign avoided a potential clash with Australia's Tri Nations test against New Zealand on October 15 - also the day of the Super League grand final.

There were initial concerns that Johns may not return to Australia in time for the opening Tri Nations clash after claiming he planned to "hang around for a couple of weeks" in Europe.

However, his management tonight said Johns' return would be known tomorrow while test selector Bob McCarthy confirmed the Newcastle halfback would be on show for the Telstra Stadium clash.

The Tri Nations series also features Great Britain and New Zealand.

"The pressure is off him now. We would have picked him for the first test but he had to make a decision if Warrington had made the final," McCarthy said.

"But it's all easy now thank goodness."

Johns is now expected to threaten incumbent skipper Darren Lockyer for the Australian captaincy.

Johns' lucrative, much-hyped English visit went pear-shaped on and off the field at the weekend.

Besides the 34-point thrashing at the hands of the reigning Challenge Cup champions, the English media lambasted Johns for his post-match behaviour.

"With more than a hint of his dummy being spat and toys hurled from his pram" was The Guardian newspaper's take on Johns' reaction to the thrashing.

While complimenting his on-field efforts, the praise ended when describing the halfback's off-field demeanour.

"After the match he refused to expand on a brief and reluctant post-match interview with Sky tv," The Guardian said.

"It was a jarring contrast with his willingness to discuss his dream debut against Leeds two weeks earlier.

"But not with his increasing reluctance in the subsequent fortnight to co-operate with the off-field promotional role for which Warrington have rewarded him so handsomely."

The newspaper also claimed Johns walked away from Warrington fans who had waited for his autograph.

"'Oh mate, I just want to go'" Johns said as he was shepherded away from the supporters waiting outside the stadium for his autograph and up to the corporate boxes where there was yet more flesh to press.

"The big question now is whether he will return next month with Australia for the Tri-Nations series, after being taunted mercilessly throughout the second half by the jubilant Hull supporters."

Johns was goaded with chants of "you're going home".

He said of his three-game Warrington stint, reportedly at $NZ26,000 a match: "I'm disappointed with the way I played, but I've enjoyed my time over here, even though it's been short."