Andrew Johns under fire over 'disgraceful' act after Origin decider

NSW legend Andrew Johns has come under fire over what many labelled an 'unprofessional' display in the aftermath of Queensland's State of Origin series victory on Wednesday night.

The Maroons, down to a two-man bench and playing in front of 52,385 rabid fans, overcame a 12-10 half-time deficit to clinch a ninth win from the last 10 Origin deciders with a 22-12 victory in Game III.

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With the game still in the balance, Ben Hunt snaffled a Nathan Cleary chip kick and ran 70 metres to score the match-sealer and cap one of the great Origin contests that harked back to the 1980s at Suncorp Stadium.

Three players exited the game with concussion inside the first three minutes in Brisbane, while Matt Burton and Dane Gagai were sin-binned for a fight that triggered an all-in brawl.

Speaking on Channel 9's post-match show, NSW and Newcastle legend Johns was visibly gutted.

Standing alongside Queensland legends Cameron Smith and Paul Vautin, as well as host James Bracey, Johns was asked: “Where did that (fight) come from?”

Johns simply replied: “Well, everything is at stake. There's no tomorrow.”

Bracey replied: “It was a hard watch out there for you tonight wasn’t it?”

Johns said: “Yep. It means so much.”

But it were his comments after a question from Vautin about where it all went wrong for NSW that left fans and commentators gobsmacked.

“Why? Well, you won the big moments,” he said.

“Now we have to listen to all the bullshit from you (Queenslanders) in the next 12 months. It drives you mad.”

Smith was visibly stunned by the comment, which resulted in an awkward silence amongst the panel.

2GB radio host Jim Wilson was among those to blast Johns' outburst on social media.

“Wow, Joey Johns, what a bloody disgrace,” he wrote. “Sore loser! C’mon Joey, really?”

“Sure be upset, but that was just petulant. I love Joey’s analysis and passion but it was spoilt brat material.”

Cricket commentator Roger Oldridge wrote: "If you want to see a sore loser, Andrew Johns on ch9 post match is the No.1 seed. Hope they didn’t pay him for that ‘effort’."

While retired Aussie cricketer Damien Martyn added: "How much is Andrew Johns a sore loser. What a role model and well done Channel 9. #disrespectful #loser #havesomerespect."

Queensland win pulsating State of Origin decider

Maroons prop Patrick Carrigan, who played the first two games off the bench, was named player of the series while debutant Tom Dearden stepped up in the absence of Covid-hit Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga was incredible at fullback.

"It was a unique game ... I don't know if I've seen a start to a game like that before," rookie coach Billy Slater said.

"It was courageous ... that's as good a Queensland victory as I've ever seen.

"I don't think I've been any prouder of a team I've been involved in."

NSW back-rower Cameron Murray was the first concussion casualty, clashing heads with Corey Oates on Queensland's first tackle.

Selywn Cobbo followed him less than a minute later, the Queensland winger lying prone after some friendly fire in another tackle and leaving the ground in a neck brace.

Lindsay Collins completed the trifecta and left Queensland with just two on the bench, the prop copping a stray Daniel Tupou elbow after he had rebounded out of a fierce Tom Gilbert tackle.

NSW fullback and captain James Tedesco was almost flawless, but he and coach Brad Fittler lamented a series of unforced errors - and praised a timely Ben Hunt 40-20 - in copping the loss.

"We came up with some basic errors ... it wasn't anywhere near our best performance," Fittler said.

"Queensland were really good, without Cam Munster but (was it) the greatest (Origin) game, I'd say no."

with AAP

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