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Andrew Johns to commentate grand final despite nerves; Fifita's phone recovered in PNG

Knights legend opts to work as Newcastle chase first premiership in 25 years

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
Newcastle Knights legend Andrew Johns will fulfill his commentary duties for Sunday's NRL grand final despite being offered the option to skip the broadcast and enjoy the club's first title decider in a quarter-century, while South Sydney back-rower David Fifita had his stolen phone recovered during the Prime Minister's XIII trip to Papua New Guinea.

Newcastle great Andrew Johns was given the option by Nine to sit out commentary so he could watch the Knights play in their first grand final since 2001. He has chosen to work, saying he is nervous but wants to do his job.

"Nine gave me the option, but Cam Smith will be near me, and I told him if I need to go and have a breakdown, he'll be there," Johns said in the hours before the match. "It's my job, and I want to do my job. But I am nervous. I don't think I've been this nervous since I made my debut as a player. I think it's because I've got no control [over the result]."

Johns now lives in Bronte, a Sydney Roosters stronghold. On Sunday morning he was playfully ambushed by Roosters supporters outside a friend's home where a banner read "Get Back To Newy Joey You Blow-In". Johns' son Louis, a Knights fan in the Roosters SG Ball system, had apparently tipped them off.

Meanwhile, David Fifita was shaken during the PM's XIII trip to PNG when a fan stole his phone. Team management used GPS tracking and local police were called in. The back-rower was particularly upset because he listens to voice messages and watches videos of his late father, who died over 12 months ago. Authorities recovered the phone with all photos and videos intact.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • For Newcastle fans, the grand final marks a rare moment of hope after a 25-year drought, and their greatest ever player's emotional balancing act highlights the stakes.
  • The phone theft incident underscores security risks for NRL players on international representative tours, especially in PNG where fan enthusiasm can cross boundaries.
  • Fifita's reliance on digital mementos of his father points to the deeper personal vulnerability players face when their devices are stolen.

Background

Andrew Johns, known as the eighth Immortal of rugby league, led Newcastle to premierships in 1997 and 2001. The club has not reached a grand final since. He now works as a commentator for Nine while living in Bronte, a traditional Roosters area. David Fifita, a South Sydney forward, lost his father just over a year ago and has spoken about keeping his memory alive through phone recordings. The PM's XIII is a representative team that plays annual matches in Papua New Guinea as part of diplomatic and sporting ties.

Key Perspectives

Andrew Johns: Wants to do his professional duty despite deep emotional attachment to the Knights, trusting his colleague Cameron Smith for support. Newcastle supporters: Will hope Johns's presence in the commentary box does not diminish the significance of the occasion. PNG authorities and NRL management: The swift recovery of Fifita's phone shows responsiveness, but the theft itself highlights the need for better fan management at such events.

What to Watch

  • The grand final result and how Johns handles the emotional pressure during the broadcast.
  • Possible security upgrades for future NRL representative tours in Papua New Guinea.
  • David Fifita's form in the upcoming season, given the emotional toll of the phone incident.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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