NRL legend Andrew Johns is excited for the debut of Newcastle Knights rookie Tex Hoy, and shared a bit of insight into his unique relationship with the youngster.
Johns has known Hoy for a long time - ever since he was born in fact - and quite intimately too.
The Immortal spoke on Wide World of Sports' Freddy and The Eighth about one of his earliest memories of Hoy, who is set to make his debut for the Knights this weekend when the NRL makes its long-awaited return.
Johns' best mate is Hoy's father Matt Hoy, an ex-professional surfer who was ranked as high as fifth in the world in 1997.
"I know him really well," Johns said.
"I'm best mates with his father... and years ago... when you get circumcised, you get rid of the windsock. So the parent or the guardian has to hold the baby.
"His dad Matt 'Hoyo' was in Brazil surfing, so he rings me and goes 'Mate, can you do me a favour, can you hold Tex?' Our sons are a similar age, so I said 'Yeah, not a problem.'
"So I'm holding Tex, and the doctor does the procedure, and Tex just goes pff, and gives me a golden shower. I remember looking down on him and I said, 'I'll get payback one day'."
Despite the tongue-in-cheek story-telling, Johns was genuinely excited about the Knights' prospect, and suggested he could be a future five-eighth at the club.
"It's incredible watching him come through," he said.
"He's a big strong boy. I think long-term they're looking to get him into the number six jersey.
"He has to to do a lot of work defensively, but he's got some skills, he's got some speed and power."
Brad Fittler observed that the softly-spoken 20-year-old was among the best players coming through the junior ranks, earning several junior representative honours en route to the NRL.
But he also noted that he felt his "shortcoming" was that he didn't put his personality into his play.
However Johns argued that he is often underestimated because of his quiet nature.
"There's been a real change in his attitude. He's laidback and quiet so people mistake that for being rat's arse and not caring," Johns said.
"I think he really cares, but because of his laconic nature and being laidback they mistake it.
"He's now living with Kalyn (Ponga) and Conor Watson, so he's been right into it. He's got his head on."
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/newcastle-knights-tex-hoy/b23dca33-00b1-465c-8e40-4149e2f36dab
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