by In terms of the journey to becoming a Super League player, not even playing the sport until your early 20s is not the ideal start.
That’s exactly what Alfie Johnson has taken care of – but he’s aware he has a lot of catching up to do after receiving his chance from Warrington Wolves.
Despite only making the switch to the 13-man squad during a brief trial period at Leeds Rhinos over the summer, England rugby sevens international Johnson has been signed by The Wire for a two-year contract for the 2025 season.
What it gives him is time – a handy thing to have given what he needs to learn before he steps up to the first team.
And he has no illusions about the task that awaits him.
“I don’t want to do rugby league a disservice by thinking that just because I’m a rugby sevens player and a rugby sevens player I can go straight in and be better than everyone else,” he said. he declared.
“Similar to what I do with the union, these guys have been doing this since they were young.
“You get to the point where it’s second nature and I have to learn it.
“I need to learn about the contact zone and count the tackles. For the rest of the guys, it’s completely innate.
“I’m still at the stage where I have to think about it and at the highest level, that split second could make all the difference in scoring a try or conceding one.
“I’m going to do everything I can to get into the team and I’m going to do my best every day.”
Alfie Johnson played for England in the sevens format of rugby union, but had never played rugby league before going on trial with Leeds Rhinos last summer. (Image: Joe Richardson) The 23-year-old was signed with the aim of using him on the wing, where Matty Ashton and Josh Thewlis are The Wire’s established first-team options.
With Ashton’s return to training delayed following an extended break from international duty and Thewlis still recovering from a shoulder injury, Johnson has had a good portion of the pre-season to make significant progress .
Given this is his first real taste of a full-time pre-season, it’s certainly been an eye-opener, but the man who until recently played rugby union for Newcastle University thinks he can already feel the difference, both physically and in terms. of his understanding of the game.
“I was a full-time rugby sevens player, but it was a different story because there’s no real pre-season,” he said.
“It’s my first full-time pre-season and it’s been tough – my body definitely feels the difference!
“Going back 10 meters after each tackle is something my calves have had to get used to, but I feel like I’ve learned a lot.
“If I looked at my first workout and compared it to my last, they would be worlds apart.
“All the coaches have been brilliant with me, sitting me down and doing sessions and things like that.”
When Johnson’s signing was announced, a YouTube clip of some of his college rugby union highlights quickly made the rounds among supporters.
Watching him gives you an idea of the type of player they can expect to put on their jersey, but how would the man himself describe his style?
“I would say the biggest strength of my game is my ability to carry the ball. I’m quite strong and I enjoy running for yards, which is apparently quite a strange thing,” he said.
“I’m enjoying this tug-of-war, running hard and seeing if I can beat the midfielders in the contact zones.
“A lot of sevens are also high-ball related, so I enjoy that aspect as well, and I enjoy getting off the line and making tackles.”
