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Paul Johnson (rugby league, born 1978)

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For the player born 1988, see Paul Johnson (rugby league b. 1988). For the New Zealand international, see Paul Johnson (New Zealand).

Paul Johnson
Personal information
Born (1978-11-25) 25 November 1978 (age 45)
Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
Playing information
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight15 st 2 lb (96 kg)[1]
PositionWing, Centre, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995–03 Wigan Warriors 108 43 0 0 172
2004–06 Bradford Bulls 54 19 0 0 76
2007–09 Warrington Wolves 53 18 0 0 72
2010 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 15 4 0 0 16
2011 Crusaders RL 10 0 0 0 0
Total 240 84 0 0 336
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1998 Emerging England 1 0 0 0 0
2001–05 Great Britain 12 5 0 0 20
Lancashire
Source: [2][3]

Paul Johnson (born 25 November 1978) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, Emerging England and Lancashire, and at club level for the Wigan Warriors,[4] the Bradford Bulls, the Warrington Wolves, the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Crusaders RL, as a wing, centre or second-row.[2]

Background

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Johnson was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England.

Club career

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Wigan Warriors

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Johnson made his professional début from the bench as a 17-year-old for Wigan in 1995.[5]

He played for Wigan from the interchange bench in their 1998 Super League Grand Final victory over Leeds.

Johnson played for Wigan from the interchange bench in their 2001 Super League Grand Final loss to Bradford.

Johnson played for Wigan from the interchange bench in the 2003 Super League Grand Final which was lost to Bradford.

Bradford Bulls

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Johnson joined Bradford from the Wigan club in 2004.[6] Having won Super League VIII, Bradford played against 2003 NRL Premiers, the Penrith Panthers in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Johnson played as a centre in Bradford's 22–4 victory. He played for Bradford as a centre in their 2004 Super League Grand Final loss against Leeds.

The following year he played for Bradford as a second-row in their 2005 Super League Grand Final victory against the Leeds.

As Super League champions Bradford faced National Rugby League premiers Wests Tigers in the 2006 World Club Challenge. Johnson played as a second-row in Bradford's 30–10 victory.

Later career

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Johnson joined Warrington from the Bradford side in 2007.[7]

In October 2010, Johnson was signed by Crusaders after being released by Wakefield.[8] He made his final Super League appearance in September 2011 against former club Wigan, announcing his retirement shortly after the game.[9]

International career

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In 1998, Johnson played for Emerging England in a 15–12 victory over Wales.[10]

Johnson made his Great Britain début in 2001, went on to play in the 2004 and 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations.[2] Johnson was voted 'Back of the Series' against Australia in 2001.

Johnson was then selected in the Great Britain team to compete in the end of season 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against Australia he played from the interchange bench in the Lions' 44–4 loss.

He missed a large part of the 2005's Super League X with shoulder and thumb injuries but was in sensational form on his return and gained selection for the Tri Nations tournament, scoring a hat-trick against New Zealand.

Personal life

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In February 2003 his younger brother, Wigan academy player Craig Johnson, was killed in a car crash along with Billy-Joe Edwards, a promising Wigan academy player and younger brother of former Wigan player Shaun Edwards.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Statistics at crusadersrfl.com". crusadersrfl.com. 7 August 2011. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Player Summary: Paul Johnson". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Heritage Numbers - In Debut Order". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Wigan Warriors Rugby League Fan Site - www.cherryandwhite.co.uk".
  6. ^ "Johnson makes Bulls switch". BBC Sport. 3 December 2003. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  7. ^ Wilson, Andy (6 July 2006). "Johnson heads for Bulls' exit door". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Crusaders sign Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Paul Johnson". BBC Sport. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Rugby league: Crusaders bow out with a heavy defeat as fans wonder what lies ahead". North Wales Live. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  10. ^ Irvine, Christopher (20 July 1998). "Elder statesmen negotiate England escape". The Times. London: News International Trading Limited. p. 32. ProQuest 317976921.
  11. ^ "Rugby league players killed in crash". BBC. 14 February 2003. Retrieved 20 February 2008.
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