NSW Blues forward Liam Martin has vowed to turn Cameron Munster’s State of Origin return into a nightmare when the pair renew hostilities on Wednesday night.

The two men have engaged in some fierce battles at both club and representative level over the years, with Martin embracing the role of chief pest for the Blues and Panthers.

Munster missed last year’s Origin series with a groin injury and shapes as a key figure in the Maroons’ bid to regain the shield.

Martin, however, declared the Blues won’t be laying out the welcome mat at Suncorp Stadium.

“He’s one of the greatest sixes in the game so I’m sure he’ll be looking to stamp his game on the series,” Martin said.

“Every time we come up against one another we have some great battles. He missed out last year and I’m sure he’ll be looking for a massive series and he’ll have a lot of weight on his shoulders to lead from the front.

“I’ll be out there looking to match it with him.”

The rivalry between the duo dates back to Martin’s Origin debut in Game One 2021 when Munster lashed out at the forward after a collision midway through the second half.

Martin had the last laugh as the Blues went on to claim a dominant 50-6 victory.

The NSW back-rower vowed to return serve the following year and declared he would target Munster’s injured ribs throughout the 2022 series.

The rivalry went up a notch leading into last year’s grand final, with the Melbourne five-eighth revealing the duo don’t get along before later apologising.

The sparring partners engaged in another battle earlier this year when the Storm defeated Penrith in Round 3, with Munster conceding Martin baited him into giving away a penalty late in the contest.

Former Blues legend Mark Geyer famously went head-to-head with Queensland great Wally Lewis in 1991 and declared NSW must not take a backwards step if they are to emerge from Suncorp Stadium with a win. “I’m really keen to see Spencer Leniu and Liam Martin, they’re the two guys I can’t wait to see play on Wednesday,” Geyer told NRL.com. “The mere fact that Spencer has put a media ban on himself adds to the intrigue, it adds to the aura.

“We all can’t wait to see him playing. He’s the most damaging runner in the game at the moment and Connor Watson said playing against Spencer when he played for Penrith, he was the hardest bloke to tackle and he’s glad he’s on our side.

“Johnathan Thurston will be in and around the Queensland team and we know about their little brouhaha that happened recently so it adds to the intrigue. It adds to everything that is Origin and everywhere you look there’s a storyline and something to look forward to.”

Munster’s partnership with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has proven a successful one over the years, with the pair combining to win three series together.

While Tom Dearden did an admirable job in the No.6 jersey last year, the five-eighth’s absence was notable in the second and third games of the 2024 series.

Given Munster’s ability to swing a game in an instant, Geyer said it’s understandable the Blues have spent time focusing on neutralising the playmaker. There’s one other figure, he feels, the side cannot afford to forget about. Kalyn Ponga.