During this period Johnson played for the Canterbury Emerging Players Team in 1991 and 1992.
[citation needed] In 1993 to 1995 Johnson was selected in the Canterbury Team and was in the side that bet Auckland in 1993, coming off the bench in the Provincial grand final.
However, Paul wasn't selected to play in a test and therefore not an official Kiwi.
[4][5] His 1994 season was interrupted by a broken leg but he bounced back to make the New Zealand Residents in 1995.
[citation needed] In 1996 and 1997 Johnson played for the Entrance Rugby League Club in the Central Coast, New South Wales competition.