‘Matty Johns was right’: Brother gets last laugh over Joey as Origin call comes true

Matty Johns poked the bear when he told Andrew Johns a hard truth about Queensland, and now his State of Origin theory has come true.

Matty Johns and Andrew Johns.

Matty Johns was right all along.

After Andrew Johns’ infamous post-match blow up after the 2022 State of Origin decider, Fox League star Matty poked the bear when he began to talk up Queensland’s chances heading into this year’s Origin series.

But the brothers are not on the same page when it comes to Origin as was clearly evident when Matthew claimed Queensland had the advantage in the 2023 during a heated exchange on radio three weeks ago.

Matt: “(Queensland coach Billy) 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.”

Andrew: “And NSW don’t know how they’re going to play?”

Matt: “No, nope.”

Well, it seems Matty was right after all.

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After Queensland pulled off another great escape in Game I despite having a man in the sin bin, it’s clear for all to see Billy Slater has Queensland firing on all cylinders at both ends of the field.

NSW’s attack end wasn’t firing. (Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Blues dominated possession and field position but couldn’t capitalise and turn that into points, as NSW’s attack struggled to create opportunities.

Credit must go to Queensland’s defence and Murray Taulagi, who prevented two NSW tries with some gutsy tackling.

When Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored a blistering try to put Queensland in front late in the game, Joey muttered in commentary: “I can’t believe it”.

Post-game, Andrew Johns called NSW’s attack “terrible”.

“The attack was terrible, they had so much momentum, they had so much possession,” Johns said on Channel 9.

“There was one really good try to Liam Martin when the halves got together, then Api Koroisau scores a dubious try and then Stephen Crichton scores off a kick.

“With all that field position and momentum and possession, you’ve got to score.

“Queensland’s scramble was sensational and they were courageous and defensively they held up a couple in the first half.

“But you’ve just got to be better. It was really poor, I thought NSW were really poor. Really poor.”

Joey Johns wasn’t impressed with the Blues. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

Matty Johns was right all along. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

He might have well have said his brother Matty was right and dare we say, the Maroons just get what it takes to win Origin.

Rugby league fans couldn’t help but point out that Matty had the last laugh and got one over his brother.

“Matty Johns was right,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

Another said: “Do you think Matty Johns is sending commiserations to his brother right now?”

One person posted: “Joey Johns cried that his brother Matty showed more love to QLD than NSW, yet all we’ve heard from Joey is how good this QLD player is or that QLD player is etc etc.”

“Got to say, #MattyJohns was definitely right on #BillySlater being one of the best coaches in the game and #AndrewJohns just didn’t want to hear it,” another pointed out.

The halves pairing of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai have come under scrutiny, with some arguing Penrith’s style of play doesn’t translate to the Origin arena.

Joey said NSW’s attack in Game I was terrible. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Former Newcastle Knights forward Alex McKinnon agreed the Blues lacked potency in attack.

“NSW attack like a club team, QLD attack like an origin team,” McKinnon tweeted.

“Our attack is so all hinged on our 13 and it doesn’t allow our halves to get multiple touches, it took QLD one set to attack Hynes (HIA Tom) & we didn’t once take advantage of QLD missing multiple players.”

NSW now face the imposing task of winning Game II in Brisbane to keep the series alive.

“This is the 17 that failed tonight, they’ve got to go up to Queensland and win back the series, that’s the thing,” Joey Johns said.

“You can kick stones and say it’s going to be nearly impossible but you’ve got to embrace the challenge. You’re going up to Suncorp, give it everything you’ve got because they’re going to be up there hanging off the rafters, screaming. That’s why you play footy.”