Much has been said and written about Cameron Munster and Liam Martin’s relationship in the lead-up to this Sunday’s NRL grand final between the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers.
On Monday, Munster told reporters in Melbourne that the pair “didn’t really like each other in Aussie camp”. However, this came as news to Martin who fired back the following day: “I thought we were fine, but obviously we’re not”.
Frankly, Cameron Munster’s mother Debbie does not care for any of it. Cameron Munster and Liam Martin pose for a picture together ahead of the 2024 NRL grand final. Steven Siewert via the Sydney Morning Herald
Following Munster’s comments, Debbie instructed the star five-eighth to make up with Martin before they line up on the same side of Accor Stadium in the decider.
And remarkably, the air between the two seems to have cleared with the opponents embracing and posing for photos during a media call at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal on Thursday.
Speaking to media, Munster stated that there was nothing but love and respect between him and Martin — and his mother was glad for it.
“Mum is mum, she hates confrontation,” he said.
“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’.
“She loves her footy. She’s a big fan of Liam. We’ll see how we go.
Cameron Munster of the Storm. Getty
“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.”
Munster had said it was “funny” reminiscing on the duo’s time in the national team, having clashed at club and state level.
The pair have a storied history, with the Maroons labelling the Blues back-rower a “grub” during last year’s Origin series.
Two years earlier in Origin I, Munster was fined for kicking Martin as he lay on the Townsville turf.
Munster and Martin were Kangaroos teammates at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, and again during last year’s Pacific Championships.
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