Rosewell was 28 years of age before he first saw representative success making four appearances in 1907 against the All Blacks, two for New South Wales and two as a Wallaby.
He joined the new rugby league code in its first year – 1908, starting with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
He was a member of the 1910 Rabbitohs side that drew the Grand Final against Newtown but lost the premiership on countback.
After his retirement from football, Johnny Rosewell worked at the RAS Showground until his death.
He died suddenly at his Maroubra home on 20 November 1931, and was buried the following day at Botany Cemetery.