'Peas in a pod': Jones shared rare bond with Johns

Matty Johns is sitting in NSW camp less than 24 hours before his Origin debut.

His halves partner all but bashes his hotel door down on a Sunday afternoon, demanding the TV be switched on to this "Warriors tearaway, this bundle of muscle and energy that's just carving up Cronulla".

So began a trans-Tasman mutual appreciation society that would last over two decades between the game's greatest ever halfback, and his heir apparent from across the ditch.