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Munster shares arch-rival’s spicy sledge after nasty tackle in running feud

The latest chapter of Cameron Munster’s running feud with a Panthers star has erupted, with the Storm gun copping a savage sledge.

Munster Vs. Martin: Tensions boil over

The latest chapter of Cameron Munster’s running feud with Liam Martin was a spicy one, which saw a hip drop tackle and a dubious penalty from a scuffle between the pair.

However, the Storm five-eighth was not charged by the match review committee and is free to play next week against the Dragons.

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On Thursday night Matty Johns said he believed Munster was likely to be suspended over the hip drop tackle.

“Munster is on report they are looking at a hip drop on Liam Martin,” Johns said on The Late Show with Matty Johns on Fox League.

“There is a bit of history between these two and they and they had another go at each other later on.

“It will be a nervous wait given the fact they have lost (Nick) Meaney.”

Bryan Fletcher agreed Munster is looking at a stint on the sidelines given the NRL’s stance on hip drop tackles last season.

“Look if they are going to be consistent, you would think that’s a couple of weeks,” Fletcher said.

“They went pretty hard last year on the hip drops.”

“He drops his weight and his legs come off the ground,” Justin Hodges added.

Watch Cam Munster’s scuffle with Liam Martin in the video above

Cameron Munster and Liam Martin.
Cameron Munster and Liam Martin.

A late penalty that went against Munster after him and Martin were embroiled in a scuffle also gave the Panthers a chance at forcing golden point in the 30-24 loss.

Martin knocked on, before Munster berated him and shoved him in the back over the error, which saw Martin throw the ball at Munster and sparked an all-in melee.

Munster didn’t think the incident warranted a penalty.

“50/50 call there with Liam Martin, I’ve seen worse things get away, but that’s footy,” Munster said on Triple M.

“If that got back to biting us in the ass I don’t think I would be playing this week. I think I would be in reserve grade and Bellamy would be into me.

Munster in hot water for hip-drop?

Wade Graham also believes it wasn’t a penalty, but checked in on Munster over his feud with Martin.

“I agree with you, I don’t think that was penalty worthy, but unfortunately the referee did,” Graham said.

“Are you and Liam OK? I thought we had gone over this bridge and made up, but you seemed like you had a bit of a running battle tonight again.”

Munster revealed a sledge Martin gave him in the first half was behind the late scuffle.

“When you are playing against one of the best back-rowers in the game you have got to do your best to get him off his game and he does the exact same thing for me,” Munster said on Triple M.

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“It’s a great competition between me and Marto, I have a lot of respect for him on the footy field and off the field.

“We obviously have a bit of niggle here and there, but I was just trying to get the wood over him a couple of times.

“He called me a liability at the back end of the first half, so I was just trying to get one back and repay the favour.

“Unfortunately it ended up paying his way.”

The pair’s frosty relationship goes back to some comments Munster made about Martin and him not getting along in Kangaroos camp.

“Liam is Liam. It’s funny looking back on it, we probably didn’t like each other in Aussie camps,” Munster said.

“I was actually surprised by that,” Martin said after hearing Munster’s comments.

“I thought we were fine, but if he feels like that then that’s his problem. It won’t change anything on Sunday. I’ll play the exact same.

“I don’t remember any issues during camp. I think I beat him in poker and thought we were fine, but obviously that’s not the case.”

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Munster’s mother Debbie got involved in the spat and told her son he needed to apologise to Martin.

“Mum is mum, she hates confrontation, she’s at home looking after my beautiful kids with my wife [Bianca], and she said, ‘you need to make sure you go out there and make amends with Liam’,” Munster said in the lead-up to last year’s Grand Final.

“She loves her footy. She’s a big fan of Liam. We’ll see how we go.

Bellamy "relieved" to see Cleary out

“It’s all fun and games. I’d love to see the whole transcript from the other day. I guess someone has to be the villain in this big game, and I’ll happily be the villain.

“Of course, there’s respect there. He’s one of the best back-rowers in the game – he’s a lovable larrikin.

“You want to go to battle against the best, and he’s one of them. He’ll want to take my head off, but there’s mutual respect there.”

Originally published as Munster shares arch-rival’s spicy sledge after nasty tackle in running feud

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/munster-shares-archrivals-spicy-sledge-after-nasty-tackle-in-running-feud/news-story/8bb5411dc535cd288e56840358217f7a