The South Sydney Rabbitohs versatile outside back and NRL’s try-scoring ace, Alex Johnston is refreshed and stoked to play on Sunday, October 29, when the PNG LNG Kumuls go head-to-head with the Fiji Bati in week three of the Pacific Championships at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Speaking to the media after the training session on Thursday, October 27, Johnston said the preparation has been positive, in terms of bonding between the players and team spirit in the camp.
“I am very excited. Team bonding has been great. Hopefully I can break some records. Playing rugby league is the highlight in itself. To be up there breaking records is pretty special,” Johnston said.
Given his prolific try-scoring ability, Johnston has 187 tries under his belt, sitting third behind Ken Irvine, who is the NRL’s Top Try Scorer of All-Time with 212 tries. The soft-spoken 28-year-old is setting his sights to break Irvine’s record.
“Hopefully one day, I can do something amazing and be on top of the try scoring list. I think it will be massive for the country to break NRL’s try scoring record. Right now, I am trying to get the job done for the Kumuls. I have not scored many tries for the Kumuls, so hopefully I can score on Sunday,” he added.
He also stated that his mum and aunty, as well as his extended family members would come to
throw their support behind him and the Kumuls on Sunday.
“A couple of my family members came and visited me last week. My mum and aunty will fly from
Australia to PNG to watch me play on Sunday, including a few cousins of mine who live in Port Moresby. To represent PNG through my heritage means a lot to me and my family,” said Johnston.
Johnston reminisced on his debut for the PNG Kumuls, when he was called up to don the red, black and gold jumper in 2019. Since then, he has cemented his spot in the starting lineup.
“The best thing about it was especially back in 2019, playing for the Kumuls the first time, the crowd and atmosphere everyone brought made me fall in love with the game again. Everyone loves footy over here. They will treat you like rock stars. It is unbelievable. It really made me fall in love with footy, so that’s why I love playing for the Kumuls. It’s pretty special,” Johnston expressed.
The Lumi Prince went on to stress about the reception and treatment they have received from the
mad fans. The treatment he and his fellow Kumuls get is similar to the celebrity status.
“Probably taking too many photos. My smiles are getting a bit sore, but I do love the attention. I feel like Chris Brown or Michael Jackson. It is pretty cool. Playing against Fiji will be tough, so we are looking forward to the match up.”
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