Rugby league immortal and TV personality Andrew Johns has been left shaken over an on-air April fools prank by co-host Danika Mason.
The Newcastle legend was appearing on Freddy and the Eighth alongside former NSW coach Brad Fittler when Mason announced there was “breaking news” regarding Knight’s star fullback Kalyn Ponga.
“We have just seen reports online that Kalyn Ponga has been granted an immediate release,” Mason said.
The gag was sold with a fake tweet from rugby league journalist Danny Weidler. stating Ponga signed with New Zealand rugby union “effective immediately”.
“I’m about to cry,” Johns said.
“I don’t believe it.”
Johns said his hands were “shaking” as he called his former Newcastle teammate Danny Buderus, who is now an assistant coach at the club, to verify the news.
“Is that true about Kalyn … that he has signed with New Zealand rugby?” Johns said.
“Don’t know, first I’ve heard of it,” Buderus said.
It was then Mason decided to spill the beans, revealing the whole thing had been an April fools gag.
“I’m joking, I’m joking,” Mason said.
“How’s the heart rate?”
“Oh, I need a nappy,” Johns said in reply.
The April fools prank comes less than a month after Ponga took advantage of new State of Origin eligibility rules allowing him to continue representing Queensland while also playing potentially playing for the Kiwis in this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
Originally published as TV host’s brutal Kalyn Ponga prank leaves Andrew Johns ‘about to cry’
