Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns has admitted to going on a wild five-day drinking 'bender' in the lead-up to a promotional rugby tournament in Bermuda four years ago at the age of 38.
Speaking to Triple M on Monday, the star halfback revealed that his ill preparation for the World Rugby Classic match had resulted in a neck injury that eventually needed to be fused.
'I went away to play a rugby union thing in Bermuda,' Johns said.
'We go over to Bermuda, I've bendered for four days on the way over. Yeah, this may surprise you ... (actually it was) for five days.'
It's the latest shocking admission in an illustrious sporting career built on hugely impressive achievements on the field, and an extensive string of scandals off the field.
Johns, widely regarded as the greatest league player of all time, has a young son with his now-ex second wife and has made no secret of his partying lifestyle as an elite sportsman in his youth.
In 2007 the retired Newcastle, NSW and Kangaroos star was arrested for fare evasion in London and found to be in possession of one ecstasy tablet.
During an interview with Channel Nine he admitted to using recreational drugs throughout the last ten years of his sporting career, during which time he won an NRL grand final and the Dally M Medal for best player three times.
'Taking it on and off, generally during the off-season, but there's times when during the season I've run the gauntlet and played Russian roulette and taken it (during the season),' Johns said.
'I wouldn't say it was drug dependency, I'd do it occasionally.'
Johns' reputation was brought into further disrepute in October 2015 when a woman accused him of being 'severely intoxicated' at an airport, taking a photo of him lying on the floor 'passed out.'
The 42-year-old mother-of-three told Daily Mail Australia at the time that Johns had tried to kiss her and then made a lewd comment when she refused.
After Johns' iconic 1997 grand final win alongside brother Matthew for Newcastle, the pair were interviewed live on national TV at 6am, after a long night of heavy partying.
After Matthew described the feeling of winning as 'better than Lego,' a topless Andrew made his way over to reporter Natalie Barr in a red cowboy hat, only for the broadcast to end abruptly.
Johns currently commentates for Channel Nine and Triple M radio, as well as acting as a coaching consultant for the Sydney Roosters.
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