Freak act shows Andrew Johns can predict the future

If we needed any more proof that Andrew Johns is a rugby league Nostradamus, he’s done it again with an extraordinary Origin moment.

If we needed any further proof that Andrew Johns is a rugby league Nostradamus, the Immortal did it again in an extraordinary moment during the State of Origin decider.

Nobody’s smile was as wide as Johns when the full time siren sounded on the Blues’ historic 14-4 win — the first time in 19 years that NSW has won a series decider in Queensland.

There as one moment that particularly had Johns leaping out of his seat — and it also showed just how impossibly well the Newcastle legend can read the game.

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When Mitchell Moses popped up with a moment of individual sorcery to shut the door on the Maroons with the Blues’ second try, it was something Johns saw coming a mile away.

Moses’ try, where he cut through tired Maroons defenders in the 67th minute, was the Blues’ second try in three minutes and that was the series-deciding passage of play.

Andrew Johns called Mitch Moses' special moment. Photo: Channel 9 and Fox League.

Mitch Moses puts Harry Grant on rollerskates.

The hammer blow began right from the other end of the field with Moses bringing his team out from the other end following a sloppy Queensland penalty.

Johns could see exactly how it was going to happen from there.

“This is Moses kicking the ball out. This is Mitch Moses’ time,” Johns said on Channel 9 ‘They’re up by four. There’s thirteen minutes to go. This is where your halfback stands up.”

Moses did exactly that.

He chose his moment perfectly, stepping off his left foot and splitting Queensland defenders Harry Grant and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Replays showed Tabuai-Fidow was slow to move across from marker and Harry Grant was beaten by Moses’ explosive left foot step.

Even Maroons legend Cameron Smith was dumbfounded by Johns’ prophetic call of the game.

“Joey just mentioned it didn’t he,” Smith said on Nine.

“As soon as Queensland gave that penalty around the ruck, he said it was Mitch Moses’ time. And he stood up.”

Johns explained after the try why Moses’ play was so classy.

“When you’re a halfback running the ball one (pass) off the ruck, the key to your footwork when you’re running the ball is the marker, because you back yourself to beat the defender in front of you, and that was Harry Grant,” he said.

Find someone who looks at you the way Andrew Johns does with Mitchell Moses. Photo: Channel 9.

State of Origin Game 3, 2024 Mitchell Moses Try. Picture: NRL Photos

“Moses looks up and what he sees at marker is Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and he doesn’t chase as hard as he should. He backs himself to beat Harry Grant.”

Johns was loving every minute of the epic contest after both teams produced special moments of defence before the game was finally cracked open with Bradman Best’s try.

“I can’t believe what I’m watching. This is as good as it gets,” Johns said.

“This is just the pinnacle of rugby league.”

Johns got to catch up with Moses in the Blues’ dressing room after the game and it looked like a proud father being unable to hide his love for his first born son.

Johns was a roving reporter for Nine in the sheds after the game and his interviews with Blues players showed he was ready to hook the atmosphere inside the rooms directly into his veins.

Moses, meanwhile, can consider himself unlucky to have missed out on the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player of the series.

There are few who didn’t understand why Blues wrecking ball Angus Crichton was awarded the prestigious silverware, but there would not have been any outrage if Moses was the recipient.

Moses will miss the rest of the NRL season after injuring his arm. Blues team officials fear Moses tore his biceps in the final minutes of the game. He is facing the possibility of surgery that could keep him off the field for up to four months.

Originally published as Freak act shows Andrew Johns can predict the future