He was my favourite player when Northern re-started in 64. I used to love the move he did from the base of the scrum with Tommy Smales. Basically Smales (scrum half) would go round the back of the scrum pretend to pick the ball up and break down the open side and attract opposition defenders only to find Tommy had left the ball behind the scrum where Johnny Rae would pick it up and gallop away down the blind side!!!!

Yes it was a great move and used regularly. It was a move also used by Bak Diabira.

I remember Deryck Fox and Peter Smith doing that for Fev too. A great move when it came off.

RIP Johnny.

Another Northern great gone. Terrific typically pugnacious Cumbrian forward with all the skill too. The game has changed so much over the years but it's hard to imagine that Johnny wouldn't have been a star today. RIP