Cameron Munster’s grubby kicking tactics exposed again in NRL

After coming under fire for a cheap shot in Origin I, Cameron Munster’s ugly habit popped up again in the Storm’s match against the Warriors.

Cameron Munster was placed on report for this kick on the Warriors' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Cameron Munster hasn’t learned his lesson after his “grub” kicking habit was exposed in Origin I.

The ugly habit reared its head again during Melbourne’s clash with the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday afternoon at Central Coast Stadium.

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Munster was put on report for a kick in the first half, when we lashed out at Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck when attempting to get up from a tackle and play the ball quickly.

It’s his second such incident in the space of a week.

If Munster is suspended, the Maroons star could miss Game 2 of the Origin series.

“He’s just got a kicking twitch at the moment, it’s a reflex,” rugby league immortal Mal Meninga said on commentary for Fox Sports.

“He wants to get up and wants them to get out of the road.

“He’s got a bit of a habit at the moment and he got a fine in Origin where he struck out with his feet as well. That was less than Origin.”

Cameron Munster was placed on report for this kick on the Warriors' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

“It’s got to be two weeks out doesn’t it?” Braith Anasta joked in commentary.

“No,” Storm and Roosters great Cooper Cronk replied with a laugh.

“He does have history, he did it a couple of times in a grand final and two times this week.

“He is skating on thin ice in terms of the fine system, but I think he’ll be right.”

Munster is a passionate player who often lets his emotions do the talking, but another brain snap could come back to bite him if he’s not careful.

QLDers seeing Munster on report for yet another kick.#UFC263#NRLWarriorsStormpic.twitter.com/gkvl9Y2GkA

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) June 13, 2021

Earlier this week, the star five-eighth came under fire for a “cheap shot” on Liam Martin as he became one of three Queensland players charged in a miserable night for the Maroons — while the NSW forward’s mum also weighed in.

Fifteen minutes into the second half of Game One, a frustrated Munster lashed out with his boot and kicked Martin in the guts when he was trying to get back to his feet after making a tackle. He’ll cough up a $1150 fine with an early guilty plea after being slapped with a grade one contrary conduct charge.

Munster has form, with his brain snaps this week bringing back memories of Melbourne’s loss to the Roosters 2018 grand final when he kicked Joey Manu.

He apologised for the cheap shot on Martin, but denied he has a dirty element to his game.

“I obviously didn’t like what he had done and he got under my skin and being the competitive person that I am (I kicked him),” Munster said. “It wasn’t a full kick or anything like that, there was no malice in it whatsoever.

“Look I will leave that to the judiciary and see if they feel it was necessary.

Cameron Munster was placed on report for kicking Liam Martin in the State of Origin opener. (Photo: Supplied)

“I am a very competitive person and yeah he got under my skin but in no way or form or shape did I want to go out there and hurt him.

“You can tell there was no full swing, it was more me trying to get him off me.

“To be completely honest I didn’t really think there was too much malice in it.

“I came off the field and some of the boys and some of the coaches were talking to me about it and I didn’t really remember it to be honest.”

Munster played down the incident and maintained he was simply trying to get away from Martin.

“It doesn’t look too good but I know deep down I didn’t try to fully kick him. If I fully tried kicking him I can assure you he would’ve been on the floor,” he said.

“I’m sure anyone would be on the floor if anyone tried to full swing kick you and he got back, he was all over me and I just wanted to get him of me.

“I was frustrated with my kick and yeah I wouldn’t say I lashed out but I was trying to get him off me. You can tell I wasn’t trying to full swing kick him in the stomach.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Munster added: “I know the person I am, I’m kicking myself because I don’t want to be in that category of being a grub. I’ve made my bed and I need to lie in it. I know deep down I don’t go out to kick anyone in the guts or in the head.”

Melbourne’s State of Origin stars including Munster, Harry Grant, Josh Addo-Carr and Felise Kaufusi backed up for the Round 13 clash.

Young stars Grant and Brandon Smith were superb, setting up some trademark Storm tries.

Some Melbourne magic to kick-start the afternoon! 🌩#TelstraPremiership#NRLWarriorsStormpic.twitter.com/2nQDcLofzh

— NRL (@NRL) June 13, 2021

The Storm outclassed the Warriors 42 points to 16 to claim their 12th win of the season.

The victory sees the Melbourne leapfrog Penrith to go on top of the NRL ladder on points difference.