Ugly Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith detail revealed after live TV swipe
The infamous incident left the Maroons legend looking awkward.
NRL immortal Andrew Johns and Maroons icon Cameron Smith were involved in one of the most awkward on-air State of Origin moments in recent history last year and the TV host has revealed the details around the drama. Last year, Blues legend Johns was fuming in his post-match analysis after New South Wales lost the Game III decider.
The Blues were heavy favourites to win the series, but succumbed to a spirited Maroons team 22-10 in the decider. Johns was sitting next to Maroons assistant coach Smith in Channel Nine commentary when he lashed out over why the Blues fell short.
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“Why? Well, you won the big moments,” he said. “Now we have to listen to all the bulls**t from you (Queenslanders) in the next 12 months. It drives you mad.”
Smith's face said it all as he reacted sheepishly to Johns' blow-up. NRL fans called out Johns and labelled him a 'sore loser' as Smith looked awkward.
Smith later revealed Johns apologised and the matter was behind them. However, Channel Nine NRL host James Bracey has detailed the tension during State of Origin week between icons of the game.
Bracey hosted last year's coverage alongside Johns, Smith and Paul Vautin. And he has given an insight into just how tense some exchanges can be between former Origin players when they defend their state.
The host described the tension as 'horrible' between the legends and said they often wouldn't talk to each other. This got Bracey onto the infamous incident involving Johns.
What a disappointing reaction - regardless of which side you cheer for, you have a job to do mate.
Constantly feel like the commentary is so one-sided in Origin - really disappointing effort by Johns. pic.twitter.com/IOe0D6M4Y3— Caitlyn Davey (@cait_davey) July 13, 2022
Bracey empathised with the Blues legend and said he was overwhelmed with heckling crowd members and a commentary box rubbing in the victory. “Where we put our set in the corner at Suncorp, it’s on the pitch but it’s close enough to the stands for you to hear verbatim what anyone is saying," Bracey said on Denan Kemp's Bloke in a Bar podcast.
“Poor old Joey, for anyone that watched the coverage, I’ve got Queenslanders with me and we’re chatting away and we’re talking about Queensland and how amazing it is — they’re doing their thing. Joey’s on the end and not only is he having to listen to us talk about how great Queensland is, and he’s already so upset about what just happened, then it’s salt in the wound.
“And then — I love Queensland and I love Queenslanders, but Queensland on Origin night does feral better than anywhere else in the world. The s**t he’s copping from these guys, oh my god. There’s like 300 people behind the cameras. And the poor guy, they just go for the jugular."
Andrew Johns lashes out during live Origin broadcast
Bracey admitted he could see the occasion had got to Johns and tried to quickly get past the segment to avoid any drama. “So they’re giving it to him, he’s got Queenslanders standing next to him giving it to him inadvertently because they’re talking about how good Queensland is, so I’m watching Joey.
“I get my phone out and text the producer and I’m like ‘ticking time bomb here, what do you want to do about Joey?’
“They said ‘we’ve just got to ask him for one comment about NSW?’ I was like ‘okay, can we hurry this up?’ I’m host so I can get there when I want to get there so I eventually go ‘Andrew …’”
And then Johns' outburst followed in a memorable Origin moment on live television. Johns copped plenty of criticism for the on-air lash out, but Bracey felt for his friend and wanted to give him a 'cuddle' after the NRL legend copped so much from the 'muppet' members of the crowd taking aim at him.
Johns has always defended his state and he also hit back at comments last year when it was claimed the Maroons jersey meant more to Queenslanders than the Blues jersey does for New South Wales players.
“The Blues jersey means everything to me and I find it insulting and a kick in the guts when they talk about their jersey meaning more to them. It gets me so emotional," Johns said last year.
“I’d love to get ‘em, all the halfbacks who have played for Queensland. (Daly) Cherry-Evans. ‘Does your jersey mean more than my jersey?’. And I know what the answer is – ‘no’.”
Bracey acknowledged that Johns wearing his heart on his sleeve is what made the NRL icon one of the most competitive athletes in the Australian sporting landscape. And the Blues will be hoping to replicate Johns' passion on Wednesday night.
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