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Catalans sign NRL champion

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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Stats

vs
Round: 27 Fri 3 Sep 20:00
vs
Round: 27 Fri 3 Sep 20:00
vs
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 16:30
vs
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:45
vs
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:45
vs
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:30
18 - 38
New Craven Park Sun 22nd August
52 - 4
The Galpharm Stadium Sun 22nd August
38 - 28
Grattan Stadium Sun 22nd August
40 - 28
The Jungle Sun 22nd August
10 - 36
Racecourse Sat 21st August
36 - 18
Halliwell Jones Stadium Fri 20th August
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Wigan 26 21 0 5 42
2 St Helens 26 19 0 7 38
3 Warrington 26 19 0 7 38
4 Leeds 26 16 1 9 33
5 Hull FC 26 16 0 10 32
6 Huddersfield 26 15 1 10 31
7 Hull K R 26 14 1 11 29
8 Castleford 26 11 0 15 22
9 Crusaders 26 11 0 15 22
10 Bradford 26 9 1 16 19
11 Wakefield 26 9 0 17 18
12 Harlequins 26 7 0 19 14
13 Salford 26 7 0 19 14
14 Catalans 26 6 0 20 12
vs
Round: Play Offs Thu 2 Sep 19:30
vs
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:00
vs
Round: Play Offs Thu 9 Sep 19:30
vs
Round: Final Sun 26 Sep
26 - 12
Recreation Ground Sun 22nd August
24 - 32
Cougar Park Sun 22nd August
72 - 20
Bigfellas Stadium Sun 22nd August
24 - 38
Sat 21st August
29 - 28
Don Valley Stadium Thu 19th August
14 - 32
Craven Park Wed 18th August
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Featherstone 20 18 0 2 56
2 Halifax 20 16 0 4 50
3 Leigh 20 12 1 7 43
4 Barrow 20 12 1 7 39
5 Widnes 20 11 0 9 38
6 Sheffield 20 10 1 9 35
7 Batley 20 7 0 13 29
8 Toulouse 20 8 0 12 27
9 Dewsbury 20 6 0 14 26
10 Whitehaven 20 4 0 16 16
11 Keighley * 20 4 1 15 10
vs
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:30
vs
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:00
vs
Round: Play Offs Sun 12 Sep 15:00
vs
Round: Final Sun 26 Sep
18 - 48
New River Stadium Fri 27th August
32 - 24
South Leeds Stadium Sun 22nd August
16 - 26
Spotland Stadium Sun 22nd August
94 - 0
Sedgley Park Sun 22nd August
46 - 12
Keepoat Stadium Sun 22nd August
16 - 18
Sun 15th August
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Hunslet 20 18 0 2 55
2 Oldham 20 17 0 3 52
3 York 20 12 0 8 39
4 Blackpool 20 15 0 5 38
5 Rochdale 20 10 0 10 37
6 South 20 9 0 11 34
7 Workington 20 8 1 11 33
8 Swinton 20 9 1 10 33
9 Doncaster 20 8 0 12 28
10 London 20 2 0 18 10
11 Gateshead 20 1 0 19 -2
25 - 24
Bloomfield Road Sun 18th July
18 - 48
Cougar Park Sun 20th June
4 - 25
Leigh Sports Village Thu 17th June
6 - 42
South Leeds Stadium Sun 6th June
26 - 16
Mount Pleasant Sun 6th June
32 - 6
Cougar Park Sun 6th June
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Dragons 23 16 0 7 205
2 Wests 23 15 0 8 37
3 Panthers 23 14 0 9 118
4 Titans 23 14 0 9 19
5 Roosters 23 13 0 10 39
6 Warriors 23 13 0 10 39
7 Sea Eagles 23 12 0 11 41
8 Raiders 23 12 0 11 4
9 Rabbitohs 23 11 0 12 31
10 Broncos 23 11 0 12 -25
11 Knights 23 10 0 13 -40
12 Eels 23 10 0 13 -64
13 Bulldogs 23 8 0 15 -51
14 Sharks 23 7 0 16 -217
15 Cowboys 23 5 0 18 -232
16 Storm 23 13 0 10 96

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