Former NRL great Andrew Johns says NRL clubs should target athletes playing rugby sevens to strengthen their squads. The comments come after Teagan Levi’s strong start to her NRLW career, which has been highlighted by Johns as an example of the potential value of switching codes. Multiple reports note that Levi’s performances have drawn attention to how skills developed in rugby sevens—such as speed, one-on-one attacking and handling in open space—can translate to rugby league at the elite level.
The articles present the same core message: Johns is calling for clubs to look beyond traditional pathways and actively recruit players from rugby sevens. They also frame the push as part of a broader interest in talent identification across different forms of rugby. While the reporting centers on Johns’ advocacy and Levi’s early impact in the NRLW, none of the sources provide further detail on specific clubs’ recruiting plans or the number of sevens players currently being targeted.
