A TIGHT back and the fear it could lead to further problems has forced Melbourne Storm star Cooper Cronk to withdraw from next weekend's NRL All Stars game.

Premiership winning halfback Cronk has been experiencing back trouble for some time and is on a modified training program at Storm.

It hasn't improved to the point where he felt he could play a full intensity game, so he rang All-Stars coach Wayne Bennett this morning to inform him he'd be pulling out.

Storm officials said Cronk could have played "at a pinch'' but didn't want to go in to camp with teammates next week only to withdraw closer to match day, forcing a rushed replacement.

Mercurial New Zealand Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson will replace Cronk.

Melbourne officials have given Cronk three days off and remain confident he will board a plane to London with his teammates on February 11 and play in the World Club Challenge against Leeds on February 23.





Originally published as Cronk out of All Stars match