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After revelling in the resumption of his physical battle with Panthers back-rower Liam Martin during Thursday night's 30-24 triumph, Storm star Cameron Munster declared: "We like a bit of niggle".
In the lead up to last year’s grand final, Munster created a media storm by suggesting that he and Martin - 2022 World Cup team-mates - did not like each other.
The pair battled it out on the NRL's biggest stage and when the two sides met for the first time this season the rivalry between the two superstars – now confirmed to be a friendly one, after Munster was forced to clarify last year – was once again a massive part of proceedings.
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Munster puts the boot in
“It’s always fun with Marto. He’s a great quality back rower, one of the best back rowers in the game,” said Munster, who produced three try assists to steer the Storm to victory.
“You want to play against the best. He's definitely one of them, and it's always good to go up against him and see where you're at.
“We like a bit of niggle between us.”
Munster was cleared by the match review committee after being placed on report in the first half for an alleged hip drop tackle on Martin.
“It didn't look great, but I feel like I wasn't putting on my weight into his legs,” Munster said.
“I was trying to wrap my arm around him, and unfortunately, he was just big and strong, and it just looked ugly.”
Another moment of tension came after one of Munster’s try assists. Martin followed through in an attempt to make the challenge on Munster before his kick. The high ball found Coates, who put it down to make it 20-16 – and gave Munster time to let Martin know all about it.
A further flare-up between the two could have had far more consequences. With three minutes to go, and Storm with a six-point advantage, a handling error from Martin seemed to have handed Storm the victory.
However, Penrith ended up with a repeat set, with Munster adjudged to have committed an offence after celebrating in his opponent’s face.
The 30-year-old stressed that he thought that the penalty was unfair, but that he recognised the peril that his team was in.
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Nathan Cleary leaves the field
“I’m just pretty disappointed with it, because it could have changed the game and made it a draw, and then we could have gone the extra time,” he said. “I will make sure I don't do that again.”
The Storm camp remained adamant post-match that thoughts of last year’s grand final had been far from their minds during the game.
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From the field: Jahrome Hughes
Nonetheless, Munster said that being able to get the win at home was a big moment for the team and their fans.
“They're just a great quality side, and you can't afford to give them leg ups or penalties or any opportunities or a sniff,” he said.
“We knew they were going to come back [from 14-0 down], regardless of Nathan [Cleary] or not. They’ve got the structure and system in place, and everyone knows what they need to do.
“To be able to get the win at home against Penrith is something special.”
