Johns to start for Warrington

Warrington Wolves coach Paul Cullen has confirmed Andrew Johns will start the engage Super League clash against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday alongside club captain Lee Briers. As such, fellow Australian Nathan Wood is likely to be relegated to the bench despite a man-of-the-match performance in Sunday?s 32-22 win over Salford.

Johns suffered a shin injury in his last match of the NRL season with Newcastle on Sunday but insists there are no doubts over his fitness.

?I just copped a knee to the shin,? he said.

?It was a soft-tissue injury. I trained this morning (Wednesday) and did an hour?s ball work and there were no problems. I could play now if I had to.

?Everything went like clockwork in training. I was surprised how crisp the ball work was. They seem to play a very similar style to the way we play at Newcastle.

?It will be a matter of getting to know the calls. The hardest bit will be forming a combination with Lee.

?It?s all about sharing the ball around and working together but it worked well in training and I don?t think it will be a problem on Saturday night.

?It was great meeting all the players today (Wednesday). I didn?t understand everyone but I am sure I will get to know everyone?s name over the next couple of days. I?m really excited about playing on Saturday.?

Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Saturday September 10 2005

Warrington 18-man squad: Grose, Fa'afili, M. Gleeson, Kohe-Love, Briers, N. Wood, Leikvoll, Clarke, Hilton, Swann, Noone, M. Gleeson, P. Wood, Lima, Bracek, Bridge, Riley, Johns.

Leeds 18-man squad: Mathers, Calderwood, Walker, Bai, McGuire, Burrow, Bailey, Diskin, McDermott, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Dunemann, Ward, Poching, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Scruton, Smith.

Referee: A Klein