The Australian rugby league great was in Dunedin yesterday on a promotional tour for the Auckland Nines.
The 40-year-old fell in love with the tournament last year and believes it is the perfect format to promote the game.
He also believes there is a tremendous capacity to grow the game in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and was a little horrified to hear it had been 86 years since the Kiwis last played a test in Dunedin.
It was while on that topic he suggested the capital should join the Auckland-based Warriors in the NRL.
''I think there should be another team out of New Zealand playing in the NRL and I think it should be out of Wellington,'' he said.
''It just gives kids who are athletically gifted more options. I just think this is a real growth area and if they get it right, they could build the game.''
Johns is convinced the nines format will take off.
It is what has brought him all the way to Dunedin in a week when the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters are preparing to meet in one preliminary final and the Canterbury Bulldogs are playing the Penrith Panthers in the other.
''I came over last year for the inaugural tournament and did not know what to expect. I was blown away by the concept and I'm a true believer that we can grow rugby league through the concept of nines.
''I would have loved to have played. I got to play sevens for a couple of years. It was good but it was a bit Mickey Mouse, you know. You just got the ball to the fastest guys and you would score.
''In nines ... there is still a place for the big boys to bash it up. And it is so entertaining to watch because the creative players have so much more room and options.''
Some of the game's stars stayed away this year but Johns is certain they will turn out for the 2015 edition, which will be staged at Eden Park from January 31 to February 1.
''I have no doubt that they would have watched it and said they want to be part of it. So I think next year you will see the big three from Melbourne - [Billy] Slater, [Cooper] Cronk and [Cameron] Smith - and I think [Greg] Inglis will play and Jarryd Hayne will play. All the real superstars of the game.''
The Warriors were knocked out in the semifinals by the Cowboys 8-0 and then went on to have what Johns described as an ''inconsistent'' NRL season.
''That is a big challenge for them because, on their day, they are the best team in the world. But then tomorrow they can turn up and be the worst team in the world.
''They need to find that consistency and I don't know how they do it. It is a big challenge for people in the club and the senior players.''
Johns is picking the Rabbitohs to prevail against the Roosters and for the Panthers to upset the Bulldogs.
''I think Penrith may cause an upset. They have about eight or nine of their starting 17 out with injury and they are still competing. That just shows how good a coach Ivan Cleary is.''
You can skip the final too because the eighth ''immortal'' - rugby league's highest honour - is picking the Rabbitohs to win the grand final. Cue a Russell Crowe fist pump.
