Cameron Munster concedes Liam Martin “got under his skin” but he doesn’t need to address a discipline issue in his game after being charged with contrary conduct for an incident in Queensland’s record State of Origin loss to NSW.
Munster appeared to kick out at the Blues back-rower during the 50-6 loss in Townsville Wednesday night, the Maroons five-eighth saying post-game he “didn’t think there was much in it, but the video doesn’t look too good”.
The match review committee largely agreed, with Munster copping a $1,150 fine but free to play in the NRL for Melbourne against the Warriors on Sunday.
The latest indiscretion for Munster was similar to the one that resulted in him being sin-binned in the 2018 NRL grand final loss to Sydney Roosters, but he laughed off the idea that it had become a bad habit.
“I didn’t like what he’d done (in the tackle), it got under my skin and I’m a competitive person but in no way, shape, or form was I trying to hurt him,” Munster said.
“There was no full swing, more just him trying to get off me.
“I know deep down I didn’t try to fully kick him; if I did I’m sure he’d be on the floor.
“If Liam is listening, I’m sorry if he thought there was any malice in it.”
Maroons debutant Kyle Feldt has taken a fine for dangerous contact for a shot on Cameron Murray, but will miss North Queensland’s match with Manly though a glute injury.
Queensland’s Moeaki Fotuaika has accepted a one-game ban for a shot on Latrell Mitchell, the Gold Coast forward ineligible for a fine due to previous charges this year.
Discussion around the NRL’s crackdown on high contact – and staging for penalties as a result – dominated the lead-up to the Origin series opener.
But there wasn’t a penalty blown for a high tackle until the hour mark; NSW coach Brad Fittler applauding the officials for their handling of the contest under intense scrutiny.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Poor bloke. Everyone wants a piece of him. All he did was kick a player on the ground. I mean it’s akin to to a tantrum from a three year old. And anyway it wasn’t very hard. He was just a bit cranky... like a three year old gets cranky. How embarrassing. Sookie la la’s grow out of this kind of act by the time they are five... mostly.
Nat
Roar Guru
Take a pill mate. No one is whining and no one was claiming he's an angel. It's a direct comparison and judging by the time each of them has been suspended - there is no comparison.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Cmon guys. It’s not Munster’s fault. Opposition players continually put their ribs in front of his foot. He is extremely lucky Martin didn’t take a dive.
JVGO
Guest
The fine was for having his pants down round his ankles I thought.
Mon
Guest
Rubbish Nat. Munster has been a thug little pri.k for many years now. You’re right, there is really no comparison between the two. Sounds like desperate QLD whining to me.
steveng
Roar Rookie
LM got punished for that and I don't condone that at all! But and with Munster, this bloke gets away with kicking and his nonsensical aggravations and niggling and big mouth all the time and nothing is done. Anyway its been that way for a long time with the threatened species of the NRL and it will still go on and on. Munster should have gotten 2 weeks for that if this was fair dinkum and nothing is overlooked just like Feldt should have gotten 4 weeks too just like LM did.
Nat
Roar Guru
You want to compare Mitchell's backhands, high shots and kicks to Munster? Not even close.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I would have had no problem with Feldt going for 10, I thought a fine was right for Munster but giving him a week is OK by me as well. Moe's tackle is the only one I disagree with. Was it late , yeah it was but watch it at normal speed and its not terrible. Thats not one of those pass , ount to three and then hit monstrosities. On your line like that he was totally committed. I think its a little different than in general play. I wouldn't go into battle over it but its not head contract, its not egregiously late and it is Origin which still does mean something.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Moe had plenty of time to pull out of his tackle... the ball had well and truly gone and Mitchell has relaxed. One week is about right Feldt was lucky. This is a thing a lot of players are doing. The ball gets passed, we know defenders are told to put the passer on the ground and that’s fine, but a lot of defenders are using it as an opportunity to launch at the ball carrier There’s a camera shot from behind Murray of Feldt’s hit where you can see Feldt lining up for a normal tackle. When Murray passes you see Feldt’s body position change from making a tackle to launching himself at Murray for a massive hit That’s when players lose control of these tackles and a falling player results in a head shot. I’ve got limited sympathy in this situation for players who say “I didn’t have time to pull out” because he had time to change the way he was lining the tackle up Contact between Feldt and Murray was inevitable, Feldt launching his shoulder at Murray wasn’t. I thought he was very lucky There wasn’t much in Munster’s kick, but he still chose to kick a player on the ground. It should have been a week, not just a fine. The defence of “I was frustrated and I didn’t kick him hard” isn’t enough If we say kicking someone on the ground not hard, doesn’t warrant a suspension, how hard does someone have to kick someone to cop a week? It’s a weird approach from the NRL
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Yeah you can’t teach an old dog new tricks
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't think these younger fellas are helped by coaches, etc agreeing with them. In the old days, anyone I played with who had chewed too many angry pills was taken out the back of the sheds and offered the chance to calm down or get rid of their excess rage. Mostly took only one session to sort things out.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Yes Paul some of the current players don't think they have issues, i think they just have problems.
steveng
Roar Rookie
"Unlike wannablu Walker?" look I dislike anyone that acts like a drongo and wants to stir up unnecessary trouble and confrontation, yes they are competitive but there is a limit and Munster especially goes too far, haven’t seen him get any time off for this but I’ve seen Mitchell get plenty of time off. There are no excuses let your footy do the talking and Munster didn’t do that all and last Wednesday night!
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Agree, kicking was the right option. Penalty much lighter. You knee, youre begging for a suspension.
Paul
Roar Guru
Victor Radley got put on report 4 times and spent 10 minutes in the bin. He too told us all he doesn't have any anger problems after copping a long suspension. I wonder why it is the current players think they've not got issues but the refs and judiciary disagree?
Nat
Roar Guru
He was all over him. What else was he supposed to do - not kick him?
Nat
Roar Guru
Unlike wannablu Walker?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Moe's hit was a fraction of a second late , not a lot in it, move on . Munster kick was a love tap , a bad look for sure but fine sufficient. Feldt was the lucky one , could have easily gone for 10.
Rob
Guest
Mitchell and Munster have short fuses and angry pills. It’s why they’re so good. Both certainly struggle with being on the losing end and unfortunately their competitive nature gets the better of them. They’re fantastic players that just need reminding what is acceptable. I don’t dislike either of them and I certainly don’t think they’re bad characters. I probably have less respect for blokes that don’t have a go.
Rob
Guest
Munster deserved a week suspension and a fine at a minimum. There was little in his leg raise but it’s still a no go non negotiable. Feldt got a little lucky with the contact it could have been worse if got Murray with direct contact to the head. He was probably unlucky Murray dropped into the contact. Fotuaika is a little hard done by in my opinion. Mitchell was at full pace and he was defending the line 10 out at speed you have to make solid contact in that situation and Origin is not for soft defence. He hit him hard low and was totally committed I’m not sure it was exceedingly late or dangerous. Mitchell enjoyed himself and wasn’t hurt other than getting winded by the contact.