St George Illawarra star recruit Ben Hunt has denied involvement in a reported altercation with Cameron Munster during last year's World Cup and insists there is no bad blood between the pair.
Munster was sent home to Melbourne before the quarter-final win over Samoa in Darwin and returned ahead of the following week's semi-final, while Hunt remained with the team.
It's understood Munster was sent home as the club were concerned about his behaviour in camp ahead of a shortened NRL pre-season following the tournament.
Hunt was stunned to hear reports of a bust up when lambasted by his new Dragons teammates last week, and is adamant he wasn't involved in a physical incident.
"I come in from training and all the boys were having a go at me saying I was a big boxer and I was like, 'What are you talking about?' Hunt told AAP on Monday.
"It was a big surprise for me because I didn't think there was any story there and didn't know where it came from.
"It was a bit of a shock.
"If they're saying that's why he got sent home, why wouldn't I have got sent home?"
The former Brisbane halfback revealed Munster immediately texted his fellow Kangaroos squad member last week to clear any lingering issues.
The duo are a strong chance of playing for Queensland in this year's State of Origin series following the representative retirements of Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
Munster starred for the Maroons at five-eighth in last year's Origin decider.
"Cam messaged me asking, 'Are we okay, what happened, are we all sweet?' And I said, 'Yeah, mate. I don't have a problem with you at all'," Hunt said.
"I'm sure I'm going to be in some teams with Cam in the future and I've got no problem with him. I'll be happy to go have a coffee or beer with him now. We're sweet."
Hunt has embraced the pressure of being the main man at the Dragons this year following his reported $6-million move from Brisbane to play alongside captain Gareth Widdop.
He also isn't shying away from his goal of establishing himself for Queensland and Australia.
"I just think that's the type of player I am. I believe that I've got the ability to be there," he said.
"I've had a little taste of Origin and playing for Australia now, and that just makes you more eager to get into those teams.
"Getting the Dragons into the finals, personally playing some rep footy ... if I start the year really well, then I'll be putting my hand up to be in the mix for some rep teams. That's a goal for me."
Meanwhile Storm star Billy Slater said Munster had impressed since returning to Melbourne's pre-season after Christmas.
"He's really stepped up into a leadership role at training and he's going to have to do that with Cooper moving on," Slater said.
"It will naturally happen for him. He's a natural footballer and a brilliant footballer at that and he will evolve into becoming a leader of this club."
