Rugby league great and the eighth immortal Andrew Johns has revealed how he reacted to being dropped for the NSW Blues side in 1995.
Johns had been named halfback for the 1995 series but following an all-in brawl in Game II at the MCG and a poor performance, Johns was dropped for Manly Sea Eagles halfback Geoff Toovey for Game III.
Johns said that being dropped for the final game of the series was one of the toughest moments of his career but he is adamant that it transformed him into the player he became.
“It was a kick in the backside,” Johns said on SEN 1170 Morning Glory.
“I was out there for the first two games and that’s when I realised.
“Physically and mentally I wasn’t up for it.
“It taught me some really harsh lessons.”
Johns was recalled to Hooker for the next series in 1996 and was the top point scorer in the Blues’ three-nil series victory. Johns went on to represent NSW on 23 occasions.
Johns' brother Matty also featured in the 1995 series and was dropped after Game I but said that he too learnt valuable lessons for his future Origin appearance in 1998.
“I got dropped for Game II,” Matty said.
“You need to play the first game (of the series) to get your head around (Origin).
“My best Origin game that I played was my fourth game.
“Toovey pulled out and I went down to the morning of the game to play Hooker.
“By that stage, I knew what it was about.
‘Unfortunately, it was my last game but who knew where I could’ve ended up.”
Game III of the 2022 State of Origin series will be held at Suncorp Stadium on July 13.