‘Are they running too much’: Liam Martin shuts down wild injury theory as he closes in on NSW starting spot

A Blues star has defended the NSW training staff after questions were raised over why three players had suffered soft tissue injuries.

Nathan Cleary is one of three NSW players to have suffered soft tissue injuries in the past fortnight. Picture: NRL Photos

Panthers star Liam Martin has shot down claims that several of his Blues teammates suffered soft tissue injuries as a result of increased training loads at sessions leading into the State of Origin opener.

Latrell Mitchell (calf) was ruled out of game 1 after a mishap the day before the team flew out to Adelaide, while Nathan Cleary (hamstring) and Cameron Murray (groin) got hurt playing for their club sides in round 14.

It led former Blues prop Aaron Woods to question whether new training programs were to blame.

Aaron Woods is one of several people who have questioned why several Blues players have suffered soft tissue injuries. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“They must be doing something with the training loads because you look at how they’ve come out, and they’re all soft tissue injuries,” he said on the Footy Talk Podcast.

“Are they doing something different from club level when they go into these camps? Are they doing back-to-back days, are they running too much?

“I know it sounds a bit picky, but for me, it’s a worry when it’s three players.”

But Martin has defended NSW training staff, saying he didn’t notice any difference from his normal program at Penrith.

“It’s the same sort of load,” he said.

“We’re lucky that our strength and conditioning team are a part of the Blues. We get the schedule and it looks very similar to what we get here, so we’re used to it.

“I can’t speak for other boys from other clubs, but we’re all professional athletes so we know what our bodies need and what it takes. It’s a bit different, but we all know what to expect when you go in.”

Cameron Murray is in doubt for game 2, while Nathan Cleary has already been ruled out for the remainder of the series. Picture; Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The back-rower said the injuries were down to bad luck and it was purely a coincidence that three NSW players got hurt in the space of seven days.

“You play the game and then you back up, so it’s a pretty intense week,” he said.

“The club does everything in their power to make sure that you’re all right. If there was any question, then you wouldn’t play. We all pulled up pretty sweet.

“It’s hard to put a finger on it because you can look back now and think ‘that might be the cause’ but you just don’t know.”

Martin had his own hamstring concern earlier in the year and backed Cleary to be at his best when he returns next month.

“He’s really positive about it. Obviously, he’s pretty devastated, but he’s in a good mood. I’m sure he’ll do anything to get back,” he said.

“I sort of had that experience earlier in the year and then I saw how upset he was in the sheds after the game. It was pretty upsetting because I knew what it was like to be in his shoes not that long ago.”

Liam Martin could start game 2 in Brisbane after be was one of the Blues’ best players in the series opener. Picture; Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

While Cleary will miss the rest of the series, Martin is in line for a promotion to the starting side after scoring a try and dominating in defence off the bench in Adelaide.

The 26-year-old started all three games last year and emerged as one of the best edge forwards in the NRL after a breakout World Cup with the Kangaroos.

“I haven’t really heard anything. I’m happy doing whatever they want,” he said.

“I enjoy both roles – I enjoy starting and coming off the bench – so I’ll be willing to do whatever they need.”