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Bloemfontein – A fitter Ashley Johnson wants to use his second chance in Super Rugby to establish himself in the Cheetahs’ starting line-up, and measure himself against the world’s leading Test players.
The Springbok No 8 trained hard on improving his conditioning in the off-season, and hopes that will help him take ownership of the Cheetahs’ No 8 jersey.
Johnson (24) initially struggled in Super Rugby last year, but played well in the Currie Cup.
“I would like to play well on a weekly basis, keep my place in the side and see if I can establish myself as the first choice. It was also my goal in last year’s Currie Cup where I gave it my all in every game,” he said.
Johnson started the Cheetahs’ first game at No 8 last year, but was replaced by the physical Frans Viljoen in the second one. The Springbok only got another opportunity when Viljoen injured his cheekbone.
Viljoen recently recovered from a painful heel injury and is due to make his return at the start of the competition.
Johnson admitted that his first Super Rugby campaign took some getting used to.
“I struggled to get going at the start of last year. We also have a lot of loose forward depth at the Cheetahs. Hopefully I get a chance early on and am able to use it.”
He believes Viljoen is an excellent player and that it’s great for the Cheetahs to have him back.
Cheetahs fitness coach Niel du Plessis said recently that Johnson is fitter than last year.
Johnson said he had trained hard in the off-season and stayed in Bloemfontein a week longer for that purpose.
“I’m someone who loses my fitness quickly and easily puts on weight. That is why I had to keep running. It also means a lot for someone’s confidence because you can push yourself for 80 minutes.”
Johnson became a Springbok in 2009, but did not tour Britain at the end of last year.
While he does not want to say anything about his chances of making the World Cup squad, he believes Super Rugby is like a Test.
“We all want to play at a higher level than Super Rugby. My first goal is to play well in the competition because you are up against Test players.
“Your confidence will be high if you play well in the competition and maybe make the World Cup squad – then you have already played against a lot of the New Zealanders and Australians.”
Bloemfontein – A fitter Ashley Johnson wants to use his second chance in Super Rugby to establish himself in the Cheetahs’ starting line-up, and measure himself against the world’s leading Test players.
The Springbok No 8 trained hard on improving his conditioning in the off-season, and hopes that will help him take ownership of the Cheetahs’ No 8 jersey.
Johnson (24) initially struggled in Super Rugby last year, but played well in the Currie Cup.
“I would like to play well on a weekly basis, keep my place in the side and see if I can establish myself as the first choice. It was also my goal in last year’s Currie Cup where I gave it my all in every game,” he said.
Johnson started the Cheetahs’ first game at No 8 last year, but was replaced by the physical Frans Viljoen in the second one. The Springbok only got another opportunity when Viljoen injured his cheekbone.
Viljoen recently recovered from a painful heel injury and is due to make his return at the start of the competition.
Johnson admitted that his first Super Rugby campaign took some getting used to.
“I struggled to get going at the start of last year. We also have a lot of loose forward depth at the Cheetahs. Hopefully I get a chance early on and am able to use it.”
He believes Viljoen is an excellent player and that it’s great for the Cheetahs to have him back.
Cheetahs fitness coach Niel du Plessis said recently that Johnson is fitter than last year.
Johnson said he had trained hard in the off-season and stayed in Bloemfontein a week longer for that purpose.
“I’m someone who loses my fitness quickly and easily puts on weight. That is why I had to keep running. It also means a lot for someone’s confidence because you can push yourself for 80 minutes.”
Johnson became a Springbok in 2009, but did not tour Britain at the end of last year.
While he does not want to say anything about his chances of making the World Cup squad, he believes Super Rugby is like a Test.
“We all want to play at a higher level than Super Rugby. My first goal is to play well in the competition because you are up against Test players.
“Your confidence will be high if you play well in the competition and maybe make the World Cup squad – then you have already played against a lot of the New Zealanders and Australians.”
