Johnston’s experience priceless

PAPUA New Guinea say the addition of Rabbitohs fullback Alex Johnston has brought much-needed experience and communication to their spine.
Johnston made his PNG debut in the No.1 jersey in the Kumuls 20-22 loss to the Fiji Bati on Saturday after representing Australia in a lone Test in 2015.
Fullback was a problem area for PNG in a 24-6 loss to Samoa in June, with Edene Gebbie enduring a tough night in the position and coming up with three crucial errors.
The experience Johnston brings will be all the more important for the Kumuls given they are without usual captain James Segeyaro, who is fighting a provisional Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority ban, and injured hooker Kurt Baptiste.
PNG assistant coach David Westley said he expected Johnston to improve everyone around him.
“He’s got a lot of experience at fullback and he’s been talking a lot,” Westley said.
“That talk from the back is really important for us.
“When you are defending, it’s always good to hear that voice and him communicating the plays.
“[(Alex) hasn’t played much footy (this year) but the main thing is him bringing his experience into the team and us utilising it.
Johnston comes off an injury-disrupted season with South Sydney in which he missed time due to minor knee surgery, before suffering ongoing bone bruising in the same knee.
The 24-year-old was coach Wayne Bennett’s first-choice fullback in 10 of his 15 games this year and averaged 113 run metres.
Kumuls captain Rhyse Martin said it was pleasing to see Johnston make his Test debut for PNG after injury prevented him from taking the field in previous campaigns.
“He has been in the NRL for a number of years now but has been unavailable to play with us due to injury,” former Canterbury Bulldogs forward Martin said.
“His experience and his excitement at his first Test for PNG (is good to see).
“It’s good to have him in the team.
“He adds a lot to us and I think he will go really well for us.”
Meanwhile, the Kumuls returned to the country yesterday ahead of Saturday’s test against the touring Great Britain Lions at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby. – NRL