NewsBite

Cameron Munster admits viral Joey Johns sledge ‘wasn’t the right time’

Cameron Munster says he has a lot of ‘respect’ for Joey Johns and regrets his viral sledge ahead of an eventual Origin victory in Game 2.

Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster and New South Wales legend Andrew Johns.
Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster and New South Wales legend Andrew Johns.

Star Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster has admitted his viral sledge at Andrew Johns on the Footy Show wasn’t timed well.

In the build up to a Game 2 at Suncorp where Queensland were looking to wrap up a comprehensive series victory, Munster asked Johns on-air, “have you made up with your brother?” before bursting into laughter alongside fellow Queenslander Johnathan Thurston.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Johns death-stared down the barrel of the camera before co-host Danika Mason said “do you want to answer, they’ve always got to say something, don’t they”.

Johns was then heard muttering: “What brother?”

Cameron Munster celebrates victory after game two at Suncorp Stadium. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Cameron Munster celebrates victory after game two at Suncorp Stadium. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Munster has since reflected on his on-air gag, with Munster telling the Nine papers that “it probably wasn’t the right time to say it”.

“It popped in my head,” Munster said.

“If you know me, I’m pretty impulsive. If anything pops into my head, I’ll say it. There’s no filter unfortunately.

“Was it the right time? Probably not. I just thought it was funny television.

“He would probably do the same to me. There’s no disrespect there. I respect him as a person and as an old player. Speaking to JT [Johnathan Thurston] and Smithy [Cameron Smith], they were mesmerised by him when they played against him. It goes to show how good he is.”

Johns had an on-air spat with brother Matthew while together on the latter’s Friday morning SEN radio show over his admiration of Billy Slater’s Maroons outfit.

Joey takes Origin losses harder than most. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Joey takes Origin losses harder than most. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Joey is one of the most parochial Blues supporters in the game, and is arguably the greatest ever player to put on a Blues jersey, and was clearly irked as Matthew talked up the Queensland Maroons team in the lead-up to Origin Game I.

Andrew, also known as ‘Joey’, has reportedly quit Matty’s SEN Morning Glory radio slot for the rest of the year, still angry over the on-air spat that saw SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison forced to step in.

The pair have reportedly not spoken for four weeks after the Eighth Immortal’s stunning blow up during the pair’s radio show squabble.

Popular Fox League cult hero Matthew confirmed his brother was “off me” when he returned to the show earlier this month while Andrew was nowhere to be seen or heard.

Hutchison, who remains a Channel 9 personality as host of Footy Classified, told News Corp days before Joey’s decision that he was attempting to broker peace between the pair.

“We love Joey and we love Matt. They’ve been a fantastic part of SEN 1170 on Friday mornings,” Hutchison said.

“We respect Joey’s wishes to concentrate on Origin at the moment. We understand he’s got a fair bit on his plate. And I probably underestimated how worked up he is.

“We look forward to sitting down with him after Origin and welcoming him back with open arms.

“I’ll get them both together for a bite to eat and go from there.”

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/cameron-munster-admits-viral-joey-johns-sledge-wasnt-the-right-time/news-story/7ff972492f11b4472da1f05f9e1083be