Liam Martin was as surprised as anyone when his partner showed him a story on Monday night where Storm superstar Cameron Munster revealed the pair didn’t get along while in camp together for the 2022 World Cup.
The pair both started in Australia’s win over Samoa that year, but it turns out there were a few issues bubbling below the surface following Munster’s telling comments earlier this week that could stem from an incident in State of Origin when the Queensland five-eighth was put on report for kicking.
“Liam is Liam. It’s funny looking back on it, we probably didn’t like each other in Aussie camps,” Munster said.
Martin is ferocious on the field but one of the nicest guys in the game, with the interstate rivalry possibly playing a part in the animosity.
“I was actually surprised by that,” he 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.”
The pair will line up opposite each other in Sunday’s grand final and possibly again next year in the Origin arena where the Blues will have a new coach after Michael Maguire stepped away to take the Broncos job.
“He’s a massive loss,” Martin said.
“The culture that he’s built and the passion he has for the jersey is incredible.
“I’m very disappointed, but I’m sure whoever fills his role will build on that legacy that he’s left. You can see that he deserves to be an NRL coach, so I hope he does well next year.”
Blues players can understand why Maguire wanted to return to the NRL where he ended the premiership drought with the Rabbitohs in 2014 but then struggled during his four seasons with the Wests Tigers.
NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai has predicted big things from Maguire when he takes over a talented Broncos roster next year, but he will miss what he was able to bring to a Blues side that won a famous decider in enemy territory a few months ago.
“He’s a massive loss, man, it’s pretty sad,” Luai said.
“I understand the role he wants to be in. He wants to be coaching week in, week out.
“I think it was a bit hard for him after we did win that series to then say ‘what’s next for me?’
“I respect his decision, he’s got a family as well, and I think he’s got ambitions to do great things with the club.
“Hopefully, he can sort of carry that culture and what he brought.
“His decision to go to a great team … the Broncos will definitely be contenders especially with him.”
