Munster’s left-field fix for Maroons selection headache
Joel Gould |
Cameron Munster admits his State of Origin return for Queensland is no guarantee as he put forward his candidacy as a possible bench utility option.
The 30-year-old Melbourne five-eighth has been one of the Maroons’ first picked in Origin, with 18 games under his belt, but missed last year’s 2-1 series loss with injury.
Maroons coach Billy Slater will pick the side in three weeks for Origin 1 in Brisbane on May 28.
Harry Grant is set to miss four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, with the Storm and Queensland hooker’s possible absence opening up a starting spot and/or the vital No.14 position.
In-form Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney is a contender to replace Grant, as is regular No.14 Ben Hunt.
The utility role could be filled by a raft of players, including Hunt, Kalyn Ponga, Kurt Mann or Max Plath, pending scans on an injured foot.
Munster has a way of speaking that could be defined as ‘Munsterisms’ – statements that can be taken on face value, as a cryptic puzzle or just shooting of the breeze to get a reaction and a laugh.
When speaking about the Maroons hooker/utility spot, the Storm playmaker was true to form.
“Bill has got a couple of ideas. He might even put (Selwyn) Cobbo at hooker. You never know,” Munster mused with a grin.
“He’s got a good way of thinking about the game, Billy. If he picks Reed he picks Reed. He’s been having real good games for the Dogs.
“I’m sure he is in line to get his opportunity, but we have still got Ben Hunt there and myself and Tommy Dearden, who could play utility off the bench. It is a great headache to have for Bill.”
North Queensland captain Dearden filled in for Munster last year at No.6 for the Maroons and went on to star for Australia in the Pacific Cup.
Munster has won three of the past four series he has played in, including 2020 when he won the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series. If fit, it is hard to imagine why he would not be in the side.
Munster is humble and hard on himself, however, and after a disappointing 42-22 loss to the Dolphins he was not prepared to count on Maroons selection.
“I have got to get picked first for Origin. My kicking game the last couple of weeks hasn’t been up to scratch,” he said.
“There are a couple more things I need to address defensively before I worry about Origin. It would be nice to get picked.”
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was sitting beside Munster and casting his eyes to the ceiling as his champion No.6 spoke.
“I’m not giving too much away because he is an advisor for the Blues,” Munster quipped.
Munster and his Queensland teammate, Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, got stuck into each other throughout Friday night in what the former termed “just a bit of friendly fire”.
“There is a lot of speculation that I am a ‘fine line’ kind of player and I will keep doing what I need to do to win,” Munster said.
“If that means I have to do something stupid, then I do something stupid. Sometimes I push too far.
“That’s happened the last couple of weeks and is something I need to address and work on, to hold my nerve and not get in a scuffle.”
AAP
