‘Make their life hell’: Liam Martin won’t let history repeat as he eyes revenge against long-time rival Cameron Munster

Cameron Munster dominated in Perth, but long-time rival Liam Martin wants to make his life a living hell in next week’s State of Origin decider.

NSW enforcer Liam Martin says he’d hate himself if he was a Queenslander watching his style of play, but he has the chance to infuriate fans north of the border next week by tormenting their main attacking weapon after Cameron Munster got the better of the Blues in Perth.

Martin has made a habit of going after anyone in an opposition jersey, with his brutal approach making him one of the most loved players for supporters of the Panthers, Blues and Kangaroos.

But he can be easy to root against if you don’t support those teams, with the fearless forward admitting his on-field persona – which is very different to the kind soul off the field – even gets under his skin when he watches back replays.

Liam Martin is completely different off the field compared to the warrior who goes after rivals on the field. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

That was evident in game two in Perth when he whacked Maroons forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to jolt the ball free and then gave it to his rival, prompting Andrew Johns to call him “incredibly mad” in commentary.

But he was on the receiving end five plays later when Valentine Holmes jammed in and forced an error as Martin ran with the ball near halfway that led to Maroons players getting in his face.

“I’d hate me. I’d think I was the biggest bloody grub and Derek there is,” Martin replied when asked how he’d view himself if he was a Queenslander.

“That’s part of footy. I’d like to think that if people met me away from the field then they’d think I’m actually an all-right guy.

“You can’t take what you do for the 80 minutes (and focus on that) because there are another 10,000 minutes in the week with what I’m like away from footy.

“You’ve got to give it as good as you get. I was into Tino, and then watching it back I was like ‘Oh God, I’m carrying on’. Then Val put a good shot on me, so as I said, you can only give it as good as you get.

“I’m very passionate, so when I get on the field, it comes out in that competitiveness. Watching some of the games back, I’m like ‘Oh God, what am I doing?’ but in the moment I enjoy it.

“Half the time (I’m watching replays) I try to skip over it (because I know what comes next).”

Cameron Munster got the better of the Blues in game two, but Liam Martin won’t let that happen again. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

A loss next Wednesday would hand the Origin shield back to the Maroons, but it’s hyperbolic to say this would be the last dance for any of the NSW players.

That said, Martin felt like Michael Jordan and took it personally as Munster relished the Queensland captaincy and was named man of the match after inspiring his side to victory in Perth.

“I said before the game that I knew he’d want to stand up as captain and that it was probably my job to go after him,” he said.

“That’s what you do as a back-rower with your opposing half – you try to make it hard for them. I probably didn’t do my job in game two, so I’ll definitely be looking to change that in game three.

“You’ve just got to be on high alert every time he’s anywhere near the ball. You don’t know what he’s going to do, so you’ve got to be in the moment and expect the unexpected.

“It’s pretty difficult sometimes, but you just hope your teammates have got your back.”

Back-rowers love tormenting opposition halves, just as Wade Graham did to Cooper Cronk in the 2016 Grand Final. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

There’s a school of thought that the Maroons might wilt if Munster is kept quiet, with Martin the man to go after him next week in a bid to take away Queensland’s biggest threat.

Beau Scott did it to Johnathan Thurston in the 2014 series, Wade Graham tormented Cooper Cronk in the 2016 grand final, and now the reigning Clive Churchill Medal winner has the chance to nullify Munster like he did in last year’s NRL showpiece event.

“It’s probably the role I can play in the team. It’s a job I need to get done, and hopefully it goes towards us winning it,” the back-rower said.

“It’s your job as the back-rower to keep that opposing half under control and try to make their life hell and take them away from their game. It’s frustrating when you see them do well so I’ll be looking to change that in game three.

“The half is normally the team’s best player and their general, so you try to make their life hell and take them off their game. It’s part of your job.”

Originally published as ‘Make their life hell’: Liam Martin won’t let history repeat as he eyes revenge against long-time rival Cameron Munster