ANDREW Johns emerged from hiding last night to honour a long-term promise to coach La Perouse United rugby league team - complete with its 15 Aboriginal and two white players. The man at the centre of the State of Origin racism storm coached the team to keep his word following the death of one of the club's players.
The timing of the session reeks of a publicity stunt to counter public condemnation of Johns' disgraceful remarks in the Blues camp last week, which led to an offended Timana Tahu walking out.
But it can be revealed Johns' links to the club long pre-dated last week's scandal. Christopher Lyons, an indigenous rugby league player, died in a trial game earlier this year.
Johns was so moved when he heard of the player's death that he rang the team's coach, Troy Rugless, back in April to offer support.
"Put me down for a fundraiser or I'll help out with some coaching," Johns told the coach at the time.
When the furore erupted over the Tahu affair, Rugless contacted Johns and asked, since he would not be in Brisbane, whether he would come to La Perouse.
So instead of being at Ballymore to put the Blues through their final session for tonight's Origin blockbuster, Johns turned up at Yarra Oval, near the shores of Botany Bay last night.
No television cameras, no radio stations, no sign of his agent John Fordham. No quotes, no set-up photos. We took our pictures from a distance.
The Daily Telegraph discovered Johns' secret engagement via a tip-off from a Souths junior rugby league source.
When approached, all Johns would say is: "Look, I've only got myself to blame for being here and not in Brisbane but I'm glad to be helping the boys out."
He trained the A-grade side for about an hour, taking them through passing and running skills.
He signed autographs for the young Aboriginals from the under-15's who had trained beforehand.
Rugless, who is part Aboriginal himself, said the players were honoured to have the dumped Blues assistant coach at training, despite his comments at a team bonding session that led to his standing down from the Blues.
"What happened with the NSW team was obviously very regrettable," Rugless said last night.
"People get pumped up in rugby league and say things like 'go and smash that red-headed bastard' and stuff like that.
"I can tell you Joey admires black people. He's having a lot of fun tonight and the boys really appreciate having him here.
"When that tsunami hit years ago, he arranged the big fundraiser with Wendell Sailor, Roy Asotasi and Nigel Vagana.
"I know he visits a correction centre all the time. He took Jarryd Hayne last time. They had a really inspirational impact on the detainees.
"When Christopher Lyons passed Joey was one of the first on the phone. We all really appreciate it."
Channel 9 boss David Gyngell last night confirmed the station would be standing by Johns. "We've accepted his apology and we'll get him to come back when he's ready," Gyngell said.
"Joey's not a racist - he likes all people.
"All of us need to let him know we're disappointed and then get on with it."
Johns has been suspended from his position as a Daily Telegraph columnist over his racist remarks made in the Blues camp.
"The Daily Telegraph abhors racism of any form," The Daily Telegraph editor Garry Linnell said.
"As a result we have suspended Andrew Johns from his association with the paper. His position is under review."
