Penrith star Liam Martin has hit back at Cameron Munster’s claim both players “really didn’t like each other” when they were Kangaroos teammates.
Grand final week is usually a tame affair but the 2024 version has had some drama with Nelson Asofa-Solomona banned from the decider and Storm teammate Munster telling reporters on Monday, it was “funny” reminiscing on the duo’s time in the national team, having clashed often at club and state level.
“It’s funny, looking back on it, we didn’t really like each other in Aussie camps,” Munster said.
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“He’s tried to get under my skin and it worked a fair few times. I have just got to go out there and not get frazzled.”
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Martin laughed off Munster’s comments, telling the publication:
“I thought we were fine, but obviously we’re not – I don’t really care.”
Martin added: “I don’t know where he’s coming from. I was surprised by that. If he feels like that, that’s alright. It doesn’t matter.
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“I’ve got a lot of respect for him, I enjoy the way he plays. We’re both ultra competitors. Every time he gets on the field he wants to win. I like playing against him.
“We’ve always had good match-ups and try to get under each other’s skin, and it will be no different on Sunday – he’ll be giving his best, I’ll be giving mine.”
Martin and Munster have history, with the Maroons labelling the Blues back-rower a “grub” during last year’s Origin series.
“They annoy each other all the time, they’re similar, both pranksters, and niggle each other on and off the field,” Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo said, having been on the same Kangaroos tour in 2022 with both players.
“‘Marto’ can be up in your face. If things are going well, and he makes a big play, you can see how excited he gets.
“That kind of stuff is important. Marto brings a different energy to what someone else might bring, particularly in big games. He does those little one-per-centers so well.”