Matty Johns lifts the lid on relationship with wife as altercation with Andrew comes to light

NRL great Matty Johns has opened up in a unique insight into his marriage with wife Trish, while also revealing the time he came to blows with brother Andrew during an argument. The Johns brothers recently settled a well-publicised rift that came about when Andrew took exception to comments Matty made about Queensland during the State of Origin series last year.

Andrew was working with head coach Brad Fittler in the NSW team at the time, and felt his brother's comments showed a lack of loyalty. The relationship has since been mended, but Matty has revealed it was far from the first time the brothers had fallen out.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Sunday Telegraph, the Newcastle Knights great said: “We sort of just drift off and go sit on different islands for a while. I think we both enjoy the break." Matty also recounted the time they came to blows in Newcastle while playing together for the Knights, saying: “Joey was my greatest victory, outside the Cricketers Arms Hotel."

Matty revealed earlier this year that son Jack was responsible for helping patch things up with Andrew after their most recent feud, masterminding an end to their cold war by getting them together by surprise. “Jack said 'I don’t like what’s going on between you and uncle Joey. It’s not right'," Matty said.

“We opened the door and he was there, and we just cuddled, sat down, and had a beer. That was it. Then we walked out again and that’s as simple as that. I don’t know if we’ve spoken inadvertently since then, but everything is sweet.”

Matty Johns lifts the lid on marriage with wife Trish

The 53-year-old also offered a rare insight into the workings of his marriage, revealing how much Trish helps him in his multiple media jobs. As well as working on TV with Fox Sports, Johns also has a number of radio roles and podcasts.

But he says it wouldn't run nearly as smoothly if not for Trish. Matty doesn't use a computer or social media, and writes out everything by hand - which is where his wife of 27 years comes in.

“I’m hopeless at everything, and a lot of the time it’s a little chat in my brain," he revealed. "When me and Trish used to argue, she would hold it against me. She would say, ‘Oh well, how about I don’t type your article this week’."

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The reliance on his wife and her tech savviness came to the fore when Johns was in Paris for the Olympics earlier this year. He said Fox Sports producers were shocked at how little he uses computers and social media.

Matty and Trish have two sons together - Jack and Cooper. Jack played 16 NRL games across stints with South Sydney and Newcastle, while Cooper played 19 during time with Melbourne and Manly. Both have followed their father into media careers, hanging up the footy boots despite being just 27 and 25 respectively.