WARRINGTON hit the headlines this week with the signing of Andrew 'Joey' Johns, who will join up with them towards the end of the season.

It's a decent call by the Wolves and an excellent signing and, while it is only a short-term move, it has given a bit of a publicity boost to the English game as a whole.

There have been a couple of question marks over the signing as regards how it affects the squad but the Warrington coach is happy and Johns is keen to come over so it's their call. If he has an influence on them winning the Grand Final then I doubt any Warrington fans will argue.

He was pretty influential in the State of Origin and is a world-class player. It's a weighty tag to be called the world's best player in what is a team game - it is hard to quantify things like that - but there is little doubt that he is an exceptional player and he's a competitor as well.

I think he will probably have an influence on things but he's got to get into the Warrington methods and the English game first.

Some people have questioned whether a club should be allowed to sign someone for a few games at the back end of the season and therefore to effectively have them for the play-offs.

But the bottom line is it is within the rules and is not illegal, so it's a fair call by Warrington. It might also be good for Great Britain players to face him ahead of the Tri-Nations.

I'm not sure it will spark a big influx of players signed specifically for the play-offs, as has been claimed. Squads need continuity and it all needs to be done within the salary cap too, and, while I don't know how much they are paying Johns, it is probably a good packet and so for a club to find this much extra is a sizeable ask. Warrington, though, have got it within their budget and feel it is a good move.

Financially it might pay off too - with all this publicity it has generated, I think they will get their money back on the crowd and various sell-ons.

On the back of a reasonably successful year for Warrington, he could be the link to get them through to the Grand Final.

That said, Leeds Rhinos probably remain the favourites in Super League along with St Helens. And remember, nobody outside the top two has ever won the Grand Final.

No-one can rule out Hull, though, and Bradford seem to be finding form at the right time for the play-offs even if it has been a disappointing regular season for them. I would not write them off - they've got a lot of experience in finals and they seem to be finding their feet when they probably need to.

There are five games left of the regular season and while the top two are clear in front, it could shuffle around a bit in the next four or five positions and this could prove important as it decides who gets home advantage in the play-offs.

Wigan will be trying to squeeze into the top six but it's a fair ask. They've always been there or thereabouts in the play-offs so it will be tough for them if they don't make it this year, but there is still a lot to play for.

It's all leading up to an exciting finish and I think some of the play-off games will be tremendous.

GOING back to Australians, I can confirm that Chris Levy did get a bit of stick from the lads after we beat the Aussies in the cricket last Sunday.

Still, it's only 1-1 in the series and there are three more left so we haven't won the Ashes yet.

It was a must-win game for England - coming back from 2-0 would have been almost impossible - but they levelled it up and can regroup and hopefully carry it on tomorrow.

With a bit of luck the lads will be able to give Chris a bit more stick.

Updated: 08:43 Wednesday, August 10, 2005