Johns Won?t Rule Out Union

Knights captain Andrew Johns concedes rumours he is considering a switch to rugby union are not unsubstantiated hype.

In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Johns said he faced the ?hard? choice between several options for his final playing contact when his current contract expires at the end of this year.

"I went to the World Cup final and I was blown away by how good it was, its probably a challenge there for me, I get into a comfort zone and [I might want to] try something new?. something I'm not familiar with?, he said.

"But that decision is a long way away, and it's lucky I've got options to go to, it's nice there are some options," he said.

It was only two months ago that Johns? playing future was in doubt because of a protruding disc in his neck, which threatened his spinal cord.

But specialist Professor John Yeo has since given the Australian captain the all clear to resume training.

The bulked up Johns says he feels ?really fit? at this stage of the pre-season, in stark contrast to recent pre-seasons where he has battled to overcome serious injury.

?The past two or three years I haven't really had a good off-season, first year I've had a full pre-season in ages, I've done every session," Johns told the Herald.

Johns said he had returned to personal fitness levels not seen since his early 20s.