Catalans sign NRL champion

Catalans have signed Australian loose forward Dallas Johnson from NRL champions Melbourne Storm on a three-year deal.
Johnson, 26, makes the move to France and Super League after Storm agreed to a request to release him from his contract.
The Queensland state of Origin star said: “This was without doubt the toughest decision of my career.
“But there are other areas of life I want to explore and living abroad and travelling is absolutely up there on the list.
“The opportunity to continue my rugby league career with the security of a long-term deal and in such a beautiful part of the world was one that I couldn’t refuse.
"I have always wanted to play in Super League and I could think of no better Club to do it at than Catalans. After winning the NRL and the State of Origin I want to win the Super League. They were not far from the Grand Final last year and I am certain with the quality of the players we have in this squad we can do even better."
Johnson made his solitary appearance for Australia in the 2007 test match against New Zealand, alongside current Catalans star Greg Bird.
Dragons Head Coach Kevin Walters said: “I am delighted to secure the services of Dallas Johnson. He is a champion player who will bring a lot to our team especially thanks to his exceptional defensive skills. Dallas is a natural leader and is exactly the type of player the Dragons need to keep improving year after year. I am sure our supporters and sponsors will love Dallas attitude and commitment to the club both on and off the field.”
Johnson has played in the last four NRL Grand Finals with the Storm, winning in 2007 and 2009, and has made more than 150 appearances in the NRL.
Storm CEO Brian Waldron said: “It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve agreed to the release request.
“This is a great opportunity for Dallas and his wife, Mel, and as a club we would never stand in the way of such a great life experience that awaits."
Johnson is due to arrive in France in early December for pre-season training once he is granted a working visa.
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| Round: 7 Fri 19 Mar 20:00 | ||
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| Round: 7 Fri 19 Mar 20:00 | ||
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| Round: 7 Fri 19 Mar 20:00 | ||
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| Round: 7 Fri 19 Mar 20:00 | ||
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| Round: 7 Sat 20 Mar 17:45 | ||
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| Round: 7 Sun 21 Mar 15:30 | ||
22 - 26 |
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| Twickenham Stoop Sun 14th March | ||
26 - 20 |
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| The Galpharm Stadium Sun 14th March | ||
33 - 8 |
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| Halliwell Jones Stadium Sat 13th March | ||
16 - 20 |
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| Stade Gilbert Brutus Sat 13th March | ||
37 - 30 |
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| GPW Recruitment Stadium Fri 12th March | ||
18 - 31 |
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| New Craven Park Fri 12th March | ||
| Pos | Name | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wigan | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| 2 | Warrington | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| 3 | Huddersfield | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| 4 | St Helens | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| 5 | Hull FC | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| 6 | Wakefield | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| 7 | Leeds | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 8 | Bradford | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 9 | Hull K R | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 10 | Castleford | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 11 | Crusaders | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 12 | Salford | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 13 | Catalans | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| 14 | Harlequins | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
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| Round: 3 Thu 18 Mar 19:30 | ||
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| Round: 3 Fri 19 Mar 19:30 | ||
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| Round: 3 Sat 20 Mar 19:00 | ||
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| Round: 3 Sat 20 Mar 18:30 | ||
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| Round: 3 Sun 21 Mar 15:00 | ||
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| Round: 4 Thu 25 Mar 19:30 | ||
20 - 20 |
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| LSV Thu 25th February | ||
32 - 26 |
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| The Shay Sun 28th February | ||
36 - 10 |
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| Chris Moyles Stadium Sun 28th February | ||
72 - 10 |
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| Stobart Stadium Sun 28th February | ||
26 - 22 |
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| Sun 28th February | ||
24 - 34 |
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| Mount Pleasant Thu 11th March | ||
| Pos | Name | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Widnes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | Featherstone | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Halifax | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 4 | Leigh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 | Whitehaven | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Toulouse | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | Barrow | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | Sheffield | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 9 | Dewsbury | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 10 | Batley | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 11 | Keighley * | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -9 |
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| Round: 3 Sat 20 Mar 15:00 | ||
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| Round: 3 Sun 21 Mar 14:00 | ||
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| Round: 3 Sun 21 Mar 15:00 | ||
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| Round: 3 Sun 21 Mar 15:00 | ||
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| Round: 3 Sun 21 Mar 15:00 | ||
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| Round: 4 Sun 28 Mar 15:00 | ||
40 - 12 |
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| South Leeds Stadium Sun 28th February | ||
20 - 38 |
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| Sedgley Park Sun 28th February | ||
56 - 24 |
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| Spotland Stadium Sun 28th February | ||
36 - 8 |
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| Huntington Stadium Sun 28th February | ||
22 - 20 |
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| Sun 28th February | ||
16 - 29 |
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| South Leeds Stadium Fri 12th March | ||
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| Round: 4 Wed 10 Mar 18:00 | ||
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| Round: 4 Wed 10 Mar | ||
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| Round: 4 Wed 17 Mar 19:30 | ||
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| Round: 4 Sun 21 Mar | ||
34 - 12 |
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| Huntington Stadium Wed 10th March | ||
62 - 18 |
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| Craven Park Wed 10th March | ||
0 - 68 |
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| South Leeds Stadium Thu 4th March | ||
22 - 44 |
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| Tetley's Stadium Wed 3rd March | ||
56 - 10 |
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| Chris Moyles Stadium Tue 23rd February | ||
22 - 24 |
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| Boundary Park Mon 22nd February | ||
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| Round 2 Fri, 19 Mar 19:35 WIN Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Fri, 19 Mar 20:35 ANZ Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Sat, 20 Mar 19:30 Mt Smart Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Sat, 20 Mar 19:30 Energy Australia Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Sat, 20 Mar 20:30 Dairy Farmers Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Sun, 21 Mar 14:00 Parramatta Stadium | ||
| Pos | Name | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Dragons | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | Sharks | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | Wests | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Broncos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | Bulldogs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | Roosters | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 16 | Rabbitohs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Storm | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | Cowboys | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Panthers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | Knights | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 | Sea Eagles | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | Eels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | Raiders | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | Warriors | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | Titans | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
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| Round 2 Mar 19 5:20pm WIN Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Mar 19 6:20pm ANZ Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Mar 20 12:45pm Sydney Football Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Mar 20 5:15pm Mt Smart Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Mar 20 5:15pm Energy Australia Stadium | ||
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| Round 2 Mar 20 6:15pm Dairy Farmers Stadium | ||





