The Queensland captain is expected to play the State of Origin decider, but Billy Slater still needs a back-up plan.
Billy Slater has resisted the urge to bring Ezra Mam back into Queensland State of Origin camp, and will instead use Reece Walsh at five-eighth if Cameron Munster doesn’t play on Wednesday night. Munster is reportedly no chance to miss the Origin decider in Sydney, but has left Maroons camp to be with his grieving family after the death of father Steven.
Queensland officials are confident Munster will be right to play, and it’s believed he could be back in camp by Tuesday afternoon. But Slater has been forced to devise a contingency plan on the off chance that Munster doesn’t play.
Broncos five-eighth Mam would be the perfect replacement, and was 18th man for the Maroons for Game 2. But Slater will instead use Walsh at No.6 if he needs to make a last-minute change.
Walsh is a fullback by trade, but has played one game at five-eighth at NRL level. He trained in the halves on Monday amid Munster’s absence, but the fact Slater hasn’t called in a back-up five-eighth means Munster would be very likely to play.
Queensland team wrap arms around Munster family
The death of Munster’s father Steven has saddened the Queensland playing group, but it’s also come as a source of inspiration as they look to make Origin history. No Maroons team has ever won a series after losing the opening game at home and going on the road for the second and third fixtures.
Harry Grant, a teammate of Munster with the Maroons and Melbourne Storm, grew up in the same home town of Rockhampton and knows the Munster family well. He said Steven would be proud of his son’s decision to play on Wednesday night.
“When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to his whole family, and Stevie-boy would love to see him out there in the maroon captaining his state,” Grant said on Monday. “I think it is very brave the way he is handling the situation. We have to respect the way he is handling it and give him that time and space … and then flick the mindset to Queensland Maroons, Origin and what is around the corner.
“The best way we can support him is throwing our arms around him and ultimately … with our performance and our preparation. It shows the strength of character of Cam and who he is, and more importantly how much the Maroons mean to him and his family.”
Cameron Munster set to inspire Queensland in Origin 3
Grant said the tragic loss of a beloved family member puts the game – and life itself – into perspective. “It hits everyone hard, as we are all aware. You don’t know what is around the corner, so you have got to be nice and present, and take in the moments you have,” Grant said.
(Munster has) a beautiful family and I’ve had plenty of moments and plenty of experiences with the family over the years. What we can control is our performance, and that’s the best way to pay our respects to the family. It’s a real reminder that this is just a game, and as much as we love it there is more to life than rugby league. At the end of the day sometimes rugby league is people’s lives as well.”
Grant said it’s up to Munster as to when he feels ready to return. “If he can make it back, and him and his family have made that decision and Cam’s OK to travel south, then he’ll make captain’s run (on Tuesday afternoon),” he said. “We’ve got training late Tuesday arvo, which gives him every chance to spend as much time with the family as he can.”
