BY A.J NASH

The New Zealand Herald has lashed Melbourne superstar Cameron Munster after he was ruled out of the upcoming Test against the Kiwis due to personal reasons.

Munster was sin-binned twice in the 2018 grand final – the second time for attacking the head of Kiwi Rooster Joey Manu.

The newspaper posted ‘Controversial Aussie head kicker out of Kiwis test’ on its rugby league page and there wasn’t much more love inside.

“…frustrated Melbourne Storm playmaker Munster disgraced himself by kicking prone Kiwi Joseph Manu in the head late in the game.”

And there was more.

“He somehow escaped a ban and was instead fined, but has now withdrawn from the Australian side for personal reasons.”

The story (not credited), twisted the knife into Munster before taking aim at Australia’s build-up to the one-off Test in Auckland.

“He [Munster] has been earmarked as a future mainstay of the Australian and Queensland sides but has been dogged by problems.

“Munster was sinbinned by Queensland once after breaking a team curfew and sent home from the 2017 World Cup after a bust-up with Kangaroos teammate Ben Hunt.

“Munster’s withdrawl has made for a troubled build-up as the Kangaroos look to replace the retired greats Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.

“New captain Greg Inglis was cut following a drink-driving charge, while potential playmakers Michael Morgan and James Maloney were unavailable due to injury.”

The Kiwis will be fielding one of their weakest sides in decades but it hasn’t stopped their local media from poking the beast that is Aussie rugby league.