'I bendered for five days on the way over'

Andrew Johns has revealed he once thought about attempting a return to rugby league, but it didn't end particularly well.

Speaking to Triple M on Tuesday, the 42-year-old reminisced about his playing days and said he sometimes even thinks about coming back.

"The body is back. I've been doing yoga and I've been back running," Johns said.

"Around this time of year, around Origin time, is the only time I ever really miss.

"There's been times where I've been getting up early and doing some running and think...'Geez, I'd love to be still playing.'"

However the last time he laced up the boots, things didn't go very well.

Johns and fellow legend Brad Fittler had entered the World Rugby Classic in 2012 — a rugby union event for former greats of the game in Bermuda.

It was five years after Johns had retired and he was rather relaxed in the days prior.

"I went away to play a rugby union thing in Bermuda," Johns said.

"We won it. And we beat South Africa. So I thought it was just like a hit and giggle. We go over to Bermuda, I've bendered for four days on the way over. Yeah, this may surprise you ... for five days.

"So we get there and it's full on contact. I haven't done it for six years. We are playing South Africa, against Bobby Skinstad, Percy Montgomery — the best ever South African players.

"So then we get on the field and the competitive juices come, and we are jamming blokes. That's where I did my neck, I had to get my neck fused after it."