Matty Johns and his brother Andrew haven’t always seen eye to eye in life.
Like many brothers, they have argued, argued, and even come to blows.
But they have always known how to put aside their differences and bury the hatchet.
The rugby league duo are two of the sport’s best-known figures for their achievements in the game.
While playing for Newcastle, the pair led the Knights to their premiership triumph in 1997. They would also represent New South Wales and the Kangaroos.
But despite helping the Knights to the premiership, Matty has revealed what he believes is the biggest win in his history.
talking to The daily telegraphrevealed that he and his brother were involved in a fight outside The Cricketers Arms pub in Newcastle.
He joked that he had punched his brother, whose nickname is ‘Joey’, on the chin, before claiming: ‘Joey was my biggest win, outside the Cricketers Arms Hotel.’
The pair recently were at odds over a comment Matty made on the radio about the New South Wales Origin side.
Andrew had previously worked as an assistant coach with the Blues, and his brother was full of praise for Queensland boss Billy Slater.
The comments did not sit well with Andrew, and the pair subsequently did not speak for nine months.
On SEN’s Morning Glory radio show, Matty had said: “Billy Slater is close to the best coach in the sport.” You just know how he explains, how he trains, the intracacies, the players absolutely love him. “Queensland knows exactly how they are going to play and who they need to pick to make that happen.”
But Andrew replied: ‘Put on your maroon t-shirt, you should have one at home.’
‘Just because you’ve played four games and lost four doesn’t mean you have to ditch NSW. I’m sick of you (cheering) Queensland. Keep blowing hot air on their butts.
It was Matty’s son Jack, 27, who was the catalyst that ended their feud, after making a surprise visit to Andrew’s house.
Matty Johns (left) talked about how he was once involved in a fist fight with his brother Andrew Johns (right).
The pair have notoriously fallen out in recent years over Matty’s (left) comments on State of Origin.
His son, who played for the Rabbitohs and Knights, had tricked his father into visiting his brother.
“We opened the door and he was there, and we just hugged each other and sat down and had a beer,” Matty said.
‘That was it. Then we go out again and that’s that simple.
“I don’t know if we’ve talked without realizing it since then, but it’s all sweet.”
Matty also opened up about his upbringing and shed light on how his father, Gary, had to juggle his job and family responsibilities.
Gary, a coal miner, had to work long shifts to support his family, and Matty admitted that he felt like he had to become the man of the house when his father was away.
“His shift started at midnight for a long time growing up,” he said.
‘I was the eldest son. You have to take on a bit of that.’
But it seems like the couple gets along quite well despite not speaking regularly.
Johns quickly learned how to balance his responsibilities and enjoy a “good time.”
“It’s a constant battle between the love of your kids, the love of your wife and the love of having a good time,” Johns says.
