Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Johns brothers in fiery on-air spat over State of Origin

Andrew and Matty Johns have been involved in a heated exchange live on air. Check out all the details plus the latest NRL news and gossip in What’s the Buzz.

Brothers Matty and Andrew Johns.

Andrew and Matty Johns have been involved in a heated on-air exchange over the Blues’ chances in this year’s State of Origin series.

Fired-up Joey attacked his brother over his criticism of NSW and praise for the Maroons.

“Just because you played four games and lost four doesn’t mean you’ve got to shitbag NSW,” Joey said.

Here is an edited version from Friday’s Morning Glory show on SEN. It starts with Matty talking up Maroons coach Billy Slater ...

Brothers Matthew and Andrew Johns.

Matty: “Slater’s close to the best coach in the game. You just know how he explains, how he coaches, the intricacies, the players absolutely love him. Queensland know exactly how they’re going to play and who they need to pick to make that happen.”

Joey: “So NSW don’t know how they’re going to play?”

Matty: “No.”

Joey: “We’ll see. I’m sick of you wrapping Queensland.”

Matty: “They’ve (Queensland) had lesser sides and they’ve just been better.”

Joey: “Are you serious?”

Matty: “I’m absolutely serious, look at the scoreboard.”

Joey: “Lesser sides? So you’re saying their spine of Ponga, Munster, DCE and Harry Grant isn’t that good?”

Matty: “You’re going from one extreme to another.”

Joey: “Put your Maroons jersey on. You should have some at home.”

Matty congratulates Joey after an Origin win. Picture: Mark Evans

Matty: “They’re easy to admire.”

Joey: “What? Just because you played four games and lost four doesn’t mean you’ve got to shitbag NSW.”

Matty: “Well mate, you don’t need to be a baker to know bread tastes good.”

Joey: “We’ll see. We’ll see. Put your Maroons jersey on. I couldn’t give a shit. I don’t even look at Queensland. I couldn’t care who they’re going to pick. I know who we’re going to pick and how we’re going to play. I had a meeting with the staff during the week. I know how we’re going to play. Keep blowing hot air up their arse. You said they’re easy to admire. You grew up hating them.”

We spoke to Matty after the show.

“I loved it,” he said. “It took me back to when we were kids in the lounge room at Cessnock, the only difference was there were no punches and Joey didn’t end up in tears on the floor.”

Andrew says Matty grew up hating Queensland.

PROOF: RUGBY BOSS IS A ROOSTERS MAN

The rugby union boss who has been terrorising the Sydney Roosters in recent months is actually a lifelong fan of the glamour club.

Hamish McLennan became a Roosters supporter from a young age when his father Colin was the promoter of the old midweek Amco Cup competition.

He grew up as a fanatical rugby league fan.

The jersey he is wearing in this photo was given to him by former Roosters star and barnstorming centre Mark Harris.

Proof Hamish McLennan is a lifelong Roosters fan.

McLennan has not only pinched boom teenager Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii from the Roosters but has for several months engaged himself in a war of words with the club he grew up cheering for.

“I loved the Roosters back then,” he said when I told him we’d been given the photo. “Simpler times I guess, it’s more brutal these days. It’s Nick Politis’ club now.”

Last week McLennan savaged the Roosters over suggestions the club was looking to offload Suaalii before his contract was up at the end of next season.

It has since been denied by coach Trent Robinson.

“I think there’s more to this than meets the eye,” McLennan said.

“I’m wondering if there’s a salary cap issue at the Roosters?

McLennan has terrorised the Roosters over Joseph Suaalii.

“Rugby Australia won’t induce Joseph to break his contract but his agent can deal with that with a good lawyer in about 30 minutes.

“Joey’s treatment is nothing short of horrible.”

The Rugby Australia boss has also spoken of his interest in signing Roosters edge forward Angus Crichton, a former rugby union player.

SAINT

While all the TV cameras were focused on NRL Magic Round last weekend, Parramatta Eels NRLW star Brooke Anderson quietly showed why she is such a wonderful role model at the women’s City v Country game. Despite the disappointment of losing the rep clash to Country, Brooke found a little girl, Maeve Brown, in the crowd and gave away her runners-up medal. It was a lovely gesture that has won over a youngster for life.

Brooke Anderson giving away her City v Country medal to young fan, Maeve Brown.

SINNER

The Jack Bird quote: “Fans don’t really know too much about footy I don’t think.” What a disrespectful thing to say. These are the fans who buy their memberships, jerseys, merchandise, game-day tickets and turn up each week to contribute to Bird’s weekly $10,000 wage, many of whom wouldn’t be on a quarter of his salary.

SPOTTED

Dragons centre Zac Lomax showed a lot of class after the Dragons’ gut-wrenching loss to the Tigers last week when we texted him for a comment. He replied: “Appreciate the reach out but gutted for the team and not interested in speaking publicly. Have a good day mate.”

Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses with his pride and joy, his daughter Aspyn Ell, and his Beamer.

SPOTTED

Parramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses showing off his sponsored car – a BMW iX – with his daughter Aspyn Ell.

SPOTTED

He’s still got great hands at 60 … Wallaby legend David Campese taking an AFL-type mark in the crowd while watching the Tahs v Reds in Townsville last weekend.

SPOTTED

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe in his club polo shirt having a beer after work at the Sackville Hotel in Rozelle on Wednesday.

SPOTTED

Former Lowes model Ray Hadley finally stepping up in the fashion stakes by purchasing two new winter jackets at Rodd and Gunn in Castle Hill.

Charlie Gallico AKA Reggie the Rabbit. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

SPOTTED

Much-loved Rabbitohs mascot Reggie Rabbit turned 79 last week – and he’s got no plans to retire. Charlie Gallico has been the club mascot since the Rabbitohs were readmitted to the NRL in 2002. He’s as popular as Latrell, Cody, Cam or any of the superstars at Souths..

MAGIC ROUND FIREWORKS IN NRL SUITE

There was quite a kerfuffle in the official NRL hirer’s suite at Magic Round last weekend when Gold Coast Titans chair Rebecca Frizelle bumped into RLPA boss Clint Newton.

A furious Frizelle was fired up over the lack of attention from the players union for 17-year-old Joseph Pouniu, the Titans youngster who was seriously injured in a trial game in January and is now a quadriplegic.

The teenager is in the spinal unit of Brisbane’s Prince Alexandra Hospital on a long rehabilitation journey.

Onlookers were shocked as the emotional Titans chair let Newton know of her disappointment.

Rebecca Frizelle.

Clint Newton.

Frizelle declined to comment while Newton played down suggestions of a major disagreement.

“Both of us are strong-minded people,” Newton said. “It was a good robust discussion. There are not enough of these hard conversations face to face. I have asked Rebecca for Joseph’s contact details so that we can get on the case.”

Donations for Joseph can be made on the Australian Sports Foundation website asf.org.au/projects/joseph-pouniu

SILENCE AROUND COACHING PROSPECT

There’s one coach who strangely never gets a mention around NRL opportunities.

Willie Peters has won six games straight in the English Super League to steer Hull KR into third position on the ladder.

Your columnist has spoken to Mitchell Pearce about this guy before. He rates him highly from when he played under him at the Knights where Peters was an assistant coach for Adam O’Brien.

He’s also done his apprenticeship at Manly, Souths and the Tigers.