Justin Harrison-Martin Johnson feud to ignite on TV as former rivals link up on Lions coverage

News.com.au

9 hours ago

The television executives who thought it was a good idea to partner Justin Harrison with Martin Johnson during Australia's upcoming series against the British and Irish Lions might have got more than they bargained for.
The pair have history - including a long-running feud that has never been resolved - prompting some anxious reservations about how they'll get along when they're seated together in Stan's Rugby Heaven studio.
The big hope is that things won't end up like Ian Chappell and Ian Botham, who once started scuffling in the car park, though no-one is sure how it will all play out.
Most rugby fans already know the backstory to their bitter dispute, but few are aware of the last fiery exchange when Harris and Johnson nearly came to blows.
Their row initially kicked off way back in 2001 when Harrison, on debut for the Wallabies, famously stole a lineout from Johnson to clinch Australia's first and only series win over the tourists.
While Harrison was proclaimed a national sporting hero and has gone to become a television celebrity, Johnson took the defeat hard, developing a deep dislike for Australians that drove him to the ultimate revenge when he captained England to victory over the Wallabies in the 2003 World Cup final.
But what few people know is the pair had another fallout years later after a chance meeting at the Hong Kong 10s when Harrison was there with the Classic Wallabies.
Goog, as he's known to his mates, is a well-known prankster who loves winding people and having a laugh and Hong Kong is the one place where rugby fans all over the world come to let their hair down and take the mickey out of each other.
So when Harrison spotted a photograph in the clubhouse of him pinching another lineout from Johnson, he thought he'd have a bit of fun with it, unaware that the former Lions skipper was in the crowd that day.
Like all good yarns, it starts with 'I had a few beers under my belt' but we'll let Harrison fill in the rest.
'There's a lineout picture, not the Lions one but England v Australia and I'm winning the lineout against Johnson, so I take it off the wall and I'm walking around the artificial turf there at Hong Kong football club like a boxing ring girl.
'And someone goes 'Johnno's here, he's at the game, over in the VIP section.'
'So I walk over and I'm standing on the field with this photo and I see him, he's in about row six, and I said 'let's get a photo.
'I thought it was pretty funny but he goes 'f…k you' like proper serious.
'So then there's a bit of a verbal and I'm like 'c'mon on then, come here' and the crowd's into it and singing 'Johnno's a wanker' and I'm geeing them up and he keeps telling me to 'f… off.'
'But that was my last interaction with Johnno and now he's coming down here for a partnership and we're on a panel together.
'So, that's gonna be interesting, right? I better break bread with him.'
FORCE 'DEVASTATED' TO LOSE POTTER
Western Force coach Simon Cron says losing Wallabies winger Harry Potter to the Waratahs is 'devastating'.
Potter will join NSW from next season.
'Potts is a great man, a big part of our team, and it's a shame we've lost him,' Cron said.
'We'd love to keep everybody out west. But Potts has got to do what's best for him and his family and the support staff around him, so devastating to lose him.
'Great fella, great team man. But we wish him all the best. And we're supportive of what's best for Potts.'
It opens the door for the Force to poach NSW winger Darby Lancaster in what could be a straight swap.
'Obviously, we've got some players coming in there and we need to add a few more into the back three, into the middle of the field and a couple in the tight five,' Cron said.
'We're always on the hunt for the guys that will fit into our environment and the squad and add to the team.'
FANS SCRAMBLE IN FLIGHT CHAOS
Thousands of British and Irish Lions are scrambling to get to Australia in time for Saturday night's opening match against the Western Force after being delayed by the tensions in the Middle East.
The threat of missile strikes in Iran, Israel and US bases in the Gulf region have forced massive changes to the available air routes in the region, with hundreds of flights diverted and cancelled.
It has caused chaos for the rugby fans travelling to Perth with some passengers stranded at airports waiting for the next flight while others were turned around and sent home.
RA'S MOVE AGAINST HATE SPEECH
Rugby Australia has signed a landmark agreement to protect players, refs and coaches from toxic online hate speech.
Working closely with former counter-terrorism expert Shane Britten, Rugby Australia has signed a partnership with Social Protect, an AI-powered social media app that detects and deletes harmful and abusive comments from a user's social media profile in real time.
The move comes after World Rugby last year charged an Australian resident with sending online abuse to referees after tracking through the AI.
'We're proud to be leading the way in Australian sport and sending a clear message that abuse and harassment - online or offline - have no place in rugby,' RA chief executive Phil Waugh said.
PHILLIP'S TURNING HEADS
Former Wallabies lock Matt Phillip has put himself in contention for the chance of playing against the Lions after an eye catching return to Australia.
The towering two-metre tall lock has spent the last two seasons in Japan but has signed a new deal with the Waratahs and is available to play for New South Wales against the Lions at Allianz stadium on July 5.
But his main goal is to get back into the Wallabies after his last appearance at the 2023 World Cup.
The 31-year-old has been included in the Wallabies' wider training squad and made a big impression on his comeback to Shute Shield, playing 60 minutes for Sydney University against Gordon at Chatswood Oval last weekend.
'It would definitely be my biggest achievement so far,' he said. 'It happens once every 12 years.
'I'd love to be in the national team again but obviously a lot of things have to happen again.'
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL LEAGUE TIPS OFF
Australia's men's Wheelchair Basketball League tips off this weekend and it's shaping up to be the most competitive season yet.
Six international imports – double last year's total – and a full squad of U23 World Championship reps, fresh from Brazil, will take to the court across NSW, QLD and WA.
This includes two Paris-bound Paralympians; 19-year-old Eithan Leard and 20-year-old Jaylen Brown, both now back on home courts after playing pro in Italy.