[2] According to the book "All Blacks to All Golds" Johnston first played senior rugby union for the Alhambra club in 1897, aged only 15.
Johnston made his senior debut for Alhambra on 31 May 1902 against Southern and played well with the link to his older cousin noted in an article in the Otago Witness.
At the time of the tour Johnston was at the peak of his career and had earned respect as a forward with a clean style of play.
Massa Johnston played at prop, and scored a try in Wigan's 10–9 victory over Oldham in the 1908 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1908–09 season at Wheater's Field, Broughton, on Saturday 19 December 1908.
After the war he returned to Dunedin but moved to Auckland to played rugby league and appeared in one match for Grafton Athletic.
After retirement Johnston moved to Australia where he was a commissionaire at the Royal Sydney Agricultural Showgrounds.