Rugby league immortal and TV personality Andrew Johns has been left shaken over an on-air April fools prank by co-host Danika Mason. <\/p>\n
The Newcastle legend was appearing on Freddy and the Eighth alongside former NSW coach Brad Fittler when Mason announced there was \u201cbreaking news\u201d regarding Knight\u2019s star fullback Kalyn Ponga. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have just seen reports online that Kalyn Ponga has been granted an immediate release,\u201d Mason said. <\/p>\n
The gag was sold with a fake tweet from rugby league journalist Danny Weidler. stating Ponga signed with New Zealand rugby union \u201ceffective immediately\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m about to cry,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johns said his hands were \u201cshaking\u201d as he called his former Newcastle teammate Danny Buderus, who is now an assistant coach at the club, to verify the news. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs that true about Kalyn \u2026 that he has signed with New Zealand rugby?\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t know, first I\u2019ve heard of it,\u201d Buderus said. <\/p>\n
It was then Mason decided to spill the beans, revealing the whole thing had been an April fools gag. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m joking, I\u2019m joking,\u201d Mason said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s the heart rate?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I need a nappy,\u201d Johns said in reply.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Rugby League World Cup. <\/p>\n