Star playmaker Andrew Johns was ruled out of the Kangaroos' tour of Great Britain and France earlier than expected on Monday afternoon.

The results of scans on Johns' injured knee in Newcastle on Monday were so clear cut that there was no need to consult with his specialist on Tuesday morning as planned.

Newcastle team doctor Neil Halpin and Australian team doctor Hugh Hazard made the decision that he should not take part in the tour on receiving the results late on Monday.

The Newcastle Knights icon aggravated his reconstructed right knee in Friday night's nail-biting Tri Nations victory over New Zealand.

Johns was bitterly disappointed but looking on the bright side regarding his club duties next year.

"It's been great to be in the Australian team again but the injury isn't one that I can overcome in a couple of weeks," he said in a statement released by the Australian Rugby League.

"Luckily it's the sort of thing that isn't going to stop me being ready for the Knights next year but it's really disappointing to have to pull out of the tour and I wish the blokes all the best."

The talismanic No.7's knee was reconstructed in 2004 and he missed most of that season as a result.

Johns had missed some of the recent Kangaroos training due to the troublesome joint and had not been at his best on the field.

"It's sore just to walk on, every step hurts and I can't train with the side and when I'm out there playing I can't run at my full pace, I'm not making an impact," Johns said.

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