Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'Try and take my head off': Munster expecting desperate tactics from NSW Blues in Origin II

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Cameron Munster expects NSW’s newest villain Liam Martin to go headhunting in Perth in what shapes as the Queensland star’s biggest State of Origin test.

ADVERTISEMENT

Maroons five-eighth Munster took a stranglehold on the second half in their game one victory in Sydney, leaving many comparing his Origin influence to that of Wally Lewis.

His man-of-the-match performance came despite close attention from the Blues’ enforcers and Munster expects Martin to dial up the physicality in game two on Sunday, having assumed the retired Paul Gallen’s role of pantomime villain.

“I like what he brings – competitive and aggression – we’ve had our fair share of tits and tats with each other,” the 27-year-old said of Blues and Penrith backrower Martin.

“They’ll come out and try and take my head off, or do things that aren’t usually done.”

Related

Munster was fined in consecutive matches last year for kicking Martin in Origin I and then Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, while he avoided any penalty when his knee accidentally made contact with Blues captain James Tedesco in Origin II.

At the time his NRL coach Craig Bellamy labelled Munster a “competitive monster” who “needs to cut that out of his game”, something the playmaker acknowledged on Wednesday.

“In previous years I’ve probably been known (to let it) get under my skin and be a lot more, how do I explain, not grubby, but do things I wouldn’t normally do,” Munster said ahead of his 15th Origin appearance.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m not that kind of person, but it shows in pressure games when things come out the top of your head.

“I know they’re going to be coming for me; I will have a lot more heat coming for me … I just (need to) play calm footy.”

Related

Munster released the shackles after halftime in the series opener, roaming wider in a freelance role that upset the Blues’ structure.

He’ll attempt to do similar at Optus Stadium to secure the series for Queensland, but insists his side’s fortunes don’t rest solely on his shoulders.

ADVERTISEMENT

“If (NSW) put all their eggs in one basket and focus on me you’ve got Harry Grant, Ben Hunt, Daly Cherry-Evans and Kalyn Ponga there to wreak havoc,” he said.

“It’s a nice accolade (to be compared to Lewis), but he’s done a lot more than I have and he’s always going to be the King of Queensland

“There’s only one Wally Lewis … I don’t want to be pumping the tyres up too much, at the end of the day it’s just one win.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
BeamMeUp 3 hours ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

12 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Sharks captain Mbonambi addresses controversial incident with referee Sharks captain Mbonambi addresses controversial incident with referee
Search