‘Make his family proud': Maroons vow to honour Munster family, Cameron expected to return for Origin decider

News.com.au

5 hours ago

Maroons hooker Harry Grant says the best way for the team to support Cameron Munster is 'with our performance and preparation' as the Queensland camp rallies around the skipper after his father died last week.
The champion five-eighth is spending time with his family as they grieve Steven Munster's death, with the Storm star set to fly to Sydney to rejoin his teammates ahead of the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night.
'It is a tough time for Cam, his immediate family, extended family and everyone in camp,' Grant said.
'But I think the best way we can support him is throwing our arms around him, and ultimately the best way we can support him right now is with our performance and with our preparation.
'It hits everyone hard. You don't know what's around the corner, so you've got to be nice and present and take in the moments that you have.
'It's a beautiful family and I had plenty of moments 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.'
No one could have begrudged Munster if he'd chosen not to play in Sydney given what had happened, but the Maroons skipper has made it clear he wants to play as his side looks to win back the shield.
'When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to the whole of his family, and Steve would love to see him out there in the Maroon captaining his state,' Grant said.
'I think it's very brave the way he's handling the situation, but we have to respect the way he's handling it and respect the way he's doing things and give him the time and space to flick the mind back to the Queensland Maroons and Origin.
'It's a show of character to Cameron but also his family. We have to respect what he's going through, but we know he wants to lace the boots up and wear the Maroon and make his family proud.'
Queensland will have their captain's run in Sydney on Tuesday, with Reece Walsh set to come into the side if Munster is unable to play.
But Grant said he wasn't focusing on contingency plans ahead of the series decider.
'There are plenty of possibilities you could go through, but you could be wasting energy thinking about that,' he said.
'Putting that in place, the coaches will have their understanding and they'll have those conversations. But as a playing group, we don't need to put our heads there.'