If anyone can overcome tragedy on the big stage, it's Cameron Munster
Indeed, there is no manual to follow for Munster, his family or the Maroons as they attempt to process the unfathomable death of Steven Munster at the age of just 58.
That Munster chose to honour him by playing is no shock. There are few players in the history of the game that can compartmentalise the chaos surrounding them quite like Munster. But then again, the Maroons skipper has never had to contend with anything quite like this.
A 'monkey clapping cymbals' was how the Storm star once famously described his state of mind on the field. It's that ability to 'goldfish' - to forget what has just transpired and make the next play count - that has made him one of the rugby league's greatest clutch performers.
The big stage has never scared Munster, nor has expectation. After being named captain for Origin II, following the controversial sacking of skipper and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, the five-eighth chased the game like only he can. The added responsibility, coupled with the occasion, only provided more motivation. Those close to him feel the tragedy will only spur him on even further.
'Look, there was a fair bit of uncertainty with 'Munn' on Sunday morning when I was sitting in his room, but the one thing he was certain about is, he was very certain that he was playing on Wednesday night,' said Slater, who lost his own father this year.
'That's one thing that he was very firm with. He didn't have a lot of answers for a lot of other things, but he gave that one to me pretty straight.'
The longest chat I've had with Munster was during the 2023 pre-season. It was a heady time for a man once described as the wild child of the NRL; he was still in the process of repairing his reputation following the white-powder scandal just over a year earlier, an incident that resulted in a stint in rehabilitation. And then there was his decision to knock back a mammoth Dolphins deal, a decision that doubly infuriated Wayne Bennett because Munster didn't deliver the news personally.
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The Advertiser
44 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
'Easy decision' for emotional Munster to play Origin
An emotional Cameron Munster has revealed how he looked to the sky and asked his late father for energy, before leading Queensland to a State of Origin series win. Four days after the sudden death of his father Stephen, Munster played an inspirational role in the Maroons' series-deciding 24-12 win in Sydney. The new Queensland captain said he never considered sitting out the game, believing his father would have told him to return to camp and play the decider. Munster could be seen looking to the skies as he ran out onto Accor Stadium on Wednesday night, before tearfully hugging coach Billy Slater at fulltime. "I just asked (dad) to use as much energy as he can. He hasn't got a whole heap of energy. He was a big boy, so I needed 10 per cent of him," Munster said afterwards. "I love him, and I'll obviously grieve and deal with what I have to deal with tomorrow and onwards. "But I want to soak it up tonight, my family with the team." Munster said it had been an "easy decision" for him to play on Wednesday night, after leaving the Maroons camp on Sunday to fly home to Rockhampton. The No.6 had not initially planned to fly home to be with his family, before Slater convinced him to do so after having also lost his father this year. "I'm forever grateful for that," Munster said. "I wasn't probably more leaning towards not doing it because I didn't want to let Bill and all of Queensland down. But Bill told me I needed to go home. "I knew straight away when I heard ... dad would be stupid enough to tell me that there was more at stake (and to play). "It was a decider, I was in camp the whole week. I knew the preparation. "And it would have been a really tough job for Bill and the coaching staff, to put someone in and understand how the way we wanted to play. "It was an easy ... Queensland is everything to me." Slater lauded Munster's effort after the Maroons' 24-12 win, with Queensland close to faultless at Accor Stadium. The Maroons' series win came despite a game-one loss at home, resulting in the axing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Munster replacing him as captain. "That's as courageous and brave as I've ever seen," Slater said of Munster's effort. "I lost my dad in January. I know what it's like. I know how it feels. Our dads are our heroes. I don't know how he did it. "But within 10 minutes of sitting with him in his room on Sunday morning, he looked at me and he said, 'Bill, I'm playing'. "And I know he wanted to. I know his dad would have wanted him to. And, boy, that's one proud dad sitting up there watching his boy tonight." An emotional Cameron Munster has revealed how he looked to the sky and asked his late father for energy, before leading Queensland to a State of Origin series win. Four days after the sudden death of his father Stephen, Munster played an inspirational role in the Maroons' series-deciding 24-12 win in Sydney. The new Queensland captain said he never considered sitting out the game, believing his father would have told him to return to camp and play the decider. Munster could be seen looking to the skies as he ran out onto Accor Stadium on Wednesday night, before tearfully hugging coach Billy Slater at fulltime. "I just asked (dad) to use as much energy as he can. He hasn't got a whole heap of energy. He was a big boy, so I needed 10 per cent of him," Munster said afterwards. "I love him, and I'll obviously grieve and deal with what I have to deal with tomorrow and onwards. "But I want to soak it up tonight, my family with the team." Munster said it had been an "easy decision" for him to play on Wednesday night, after leaving the Maroons camp on Sunday to fly home to Rockhampton. The No.6 had not initially planned to fly home to be with his family, before Slater convinced him to do so after having also lost his father this year. "I'm forever grateful for that," Munster said. "I wasn't probably more leaning towards not doing it because I didn't want to let Bill and all of Queensland down. But Bill told me I needed to go home. "I knew straight away when I heard ... dad would be stupid enough to tell me that there was more at stake (and to play). "It was a decider, I was in camp the whole week. I knew the preparation. "And it would have been a really tough job for Bill and the coaching staff, to put someone in and understand how the way we wanted to play. "It was an easy ... Queensland is everything to me." Slater lauded Munster's effort after the Maroons' 24-12 win, with Queensland close to faultless at Accor Stadium. The Maroons' series win came despite a game-one loss at home, resulting in the axing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Munster replacing him as captain. "That's as courageous and brave as I've ever seen," Slater said of Munster's effort. "I lost my dad in January. I know what it's like. I know how it feels. Our dads are our heroes. I don't know how he did it. "But within 10 minutes of sitting with him in his room on Sunday morning, he looked at me and he said, 'Bill, I'm playing'. "And I know he wanted to. I know his dad would have wanted him to. And, boy, that's one proud dad sitting up there watching his boy tonight." An emotional Cameron Munster has revealed how he looked to the sky and asked his late father for energy, before leading Queensland to a State of Origin series win. Four days after the sudden death of his father Stephen, Munster played an inspirational role in the Maroons' series-deciding 24-12 win in Sydney. The new Queensland captain said he never considered sitting out the game, believing his father would have told him to return to camp and play the decider. Munster could be seen looking to the skies as he ran out onto Accor Stadium on Wednesday night, before tearfully hugging coach Billy Slater at fulltime. "I just asked (dad) to use as much energy as he can. He hasn't got a whole heap of energy. He was a big boy, so I needed 10 per cent of him," Munster said afterwards. "I love him, and I'll obviously grieve and deal with what I have to deal with tomorrow and onwards. "But I want to soak it up tonight, my family with the team." Munster said it had been an "easy decision" for him to play on Wednesday night, after leaving the Maroons camp on Sunday to fly home to Rockhampton. The No.6 had not initially planned to fly home to be with his family, before Slater convinced him to do so after having also lost his father this year. "I'm forever grateful for that," Munster said. "I wasn't probably more leaning towards not doing it because I didn't want to let Bill and all of Queensland down. But Bill told me I needed to go home. "I knew straight away when I heard ... dad would be stupid enough to tell me that there was more at stake (and to play). "It was a decider, I was in camp the whole week. I knew the preparation. "And it would have been a really tough job for Bill and the coaching staff, to put someone in and understand how the way we wanted to play. "It was an easy ... Queensland is everything to me." Slater lauded Munster's effort after the Maroons' 24-12 win, with Queensland close to faultless at Accor Stadium. The Maroons' series win came despite a game-one loss at home, resulting in the axing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Munster replacing him as captain. "That's as courageous and brave as I've ever seen," Slater said of Munster's effort. "I lost my dad in January. I know what it's like. I know how it feels. Our dads are our heroes. I don't know how he did it. "But within 10 minutes of sitting with him in his room on Sunday morning, he looked at me and he said, 'Bill, I'm playing'. "And I know he wanted to. I know his dad would have wanted him to. And, boy, that's one proud dad sitting up there watching his boy tonight."
Sky News AU
44 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Can of alcohol thrown towards NSW Blues player at end of State of Origin as Queensland win back shield from NSW
A New South Wales Blues player has been left fuming by the disgusting act of one spectator who threw a can of alcohol toward him after the State of Origin decider. Queensland stunned the Blues-dominated crowd in Sydney on Wednesday night as they ran rampant for most of the match in a near-perfect performance by the Maroons. Coach Billy Slater's side turned out for their star five-eighth Cameron Munster who pulled out of Origin camp to mourn the sudden loss of his father over the weekend, before he returned for the match to help lead Queensland to a famous 24-12 victory. But the Maroons' heroics have been marred by an ugly incident involving Blues player Connor Watson after video emerged of a can of alcohol being hurled at him. Video shared to The Daily Telegraph showed the hooker greet fans and shake hands with a patron at Accor Stadium when a can of Canadian Club flew past his head. The drink reportedly hit another member of the crowd. Watson did a double-take when the can landed next to him. No injuries were reported. Speaking to the masthead, the Sydney Roosters player said he was stunned by what had happened and called for punishment if it was deliberately done. Watson explained how he walked up the stairs to stadium seating to go see his family and friends after the disappointing loss to the underdogs. 'As I'm walking, a can of Canadian Club lands right next to me and it's like someone had thrown it at me," he said. "If they did throw it... the words I want to use for it... I can't say right now. If it was thrown, it's disappointing to think someone thinks it's OK to do that." The Blues star added players should not have to be worried about projectiles being hurled at them when they interact with fans or go see loved ones in the crowd. An Accor stadium spokesperson said its security staff are reviewing CCTV footage and will work with NSW Police to look into the incident. has reached out to police for comment. It was a tight contest in the first 15 minutes between the two states before Maroons' Xavier Coates scored in the corner assisted by Origin rookie Gehamat Shibasaki. Less than 10 minutes later, a late offload from the halfway line by Queensland saw Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow break through before passing to halfback Tom Dearden to score. Maroons hooker Harry Grant then scored under the sticks before halftime. Down 20-0, the Blues found themselves in a similar situation to the second game but they could not go on a scoring frenzy, crossing the line for two tries in the final half. It is the first decider the Maroons have won in Sydney since 2013. Dearden was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.
The Advertiser
44 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
I should 'most definitely' stay NSW's coach: Daley
Laurie Daley feels he is "most definitely" the right man to coach NSW in 2026 as the playing group insists the coach cannot be blamed for the Blues' State of Origin capitulation. The 2025 Origin series slipped through the Blues' fingers on Wednesday night as a polished Queensland dominated their hosts for a 24-12 win at Accor Stadium. It came after the Blues romped home to a game-one win in Brisbane and scored more tries than their opponents in Origin II, only to lose on goal-kicking. The game-three loss was a sour end to Daley's first series back as coach, after optimism had been signalled by the return of the man who famously snapped Queensland's eight-year run of dominance in 2014. But Daley's record as coach across his two stints now stands at one series win from six in charge, with a winning rate of just below 39 per cent. "While I was disappointed with the result, I think the players have had a really good campaign, we just didn't nail the moments," he said. "We've got to make sure we're better at that. "I don't see any reason why that group can't (win it next year) ... no issues there, mate." The playing group rushed to Daley's defence after the loss. "He wasn't the reason that we lost tonight. It was us as players," said halfback Nathan Cleary. "He committed a lot to this preparation. I thought the preparation was really good." Second-rower Liam Martin said the playing group needed to shoulder the blame. "We let him down," said Blues second-rower Liam Martin, whhen asked about Daley. "We are so disappointed as a playing group because the coaching staff, 'Loz', everyone involved, deserved so much more from us. "If there's any criticism, criticise us as the playing group, not 'Loz'. He couldn't have done much more." After his first Origin series, Max King conceded speculation would trigger speculation as to positions, including his own in the forward pack. "I think Laurie's been great. That probably adds to the disappointment, Laurie and the staff have done such a great job," he said. "I think that's a big part of it, losing, you feel responsible. That comes with losing, there's going to be a lot of talk, coaches, positions, a lot of players come under fire, myself and whatnot. "That's just what comes with losing." Laurie Daley feels he is "most definitely" the right man to coach NSW in 2026 as the playing group insists the coach cannot be blamed for the Blues' State of Origin capitulation. The 2025 Origin series slipped through the Blues' fingers on Wednesday night as a polished Queensland dominated their hosts for a 24-12 win at Accor Stadium. It came after the Blues romped home to a game-one win in Brisbane and scored more tries than their opponents in Origin II, only to lose on goal-kicking. The game-three loss was a sour end to Daley's first series back as coach, after optimism had been signalled by the return of the man who famously snapped Queensland's eight-year run of dominance in 2014. But Daley's record as coach across his two stints now stands at one series win from six in charge, with a winning rate of just below 39 per cent. "While I was disappointed with the result, I think the players have had a really good campaign, we just didn't nail the moments," he said. "We've got to make sure we're better at that. "I don't see any reason why that group can't (win it next year) ... no issues there, mate." The playing group rushed to Daley's defence after the loss. "He wasn't the reason that we lost tonight. It was us as players," said halfback Nathan Cleary. "He committed a lot to this preparation. I thought the preparation was really good." Second-rower Liam Martin said the playing group needed to shoulder the blame. "We let him down," said Blues second-rower Liam Martin, whhen asked about Daley. "We are so disappointed as a playing group because the coaching staff, 'Loz', everyone involved, deserved so much more from us. "If there's any criticism, criticise us as the playing group, not 'Loz'. He couldn't have done much more." After his first Origin series, Max King conceded speculation would trigger speculation as to positions, including his own in the forward pack. "I think Laurie's been great. That probably adds to the disappointment, Laurie and the staff have done such a great job," he said. "I think that's a big part of it, losing, you feel responsible. That comes with losing, there's going to be a lot of talk, coaches, positions, a lot of players come under fire, myself and whatnot. "That's just what comes with losing." Laurie Daley feels he is "most definitely" the right man to coach NSW in 2026 as the playing group insists the coach cannot be blamed for the Blues' State of Origin capitulation. The 2025 Origin series slipped through the Blues' fingers on Wednesday night as a polished Queensland dominated their hosts for a 24-12 win at Accor Stadium. It came after the Blues romped home to a game-one win in Brisbane and scored more tries than their opponents in Origin II, only to lose on goal-kicking. The game-three loss was a sour end to Daley's first series back as coach, after optimism had been signalled by the return of the man who famously snapped Queensland's eight-year run of dominance in 2014. But Daley's record as coach across his two stints now stands at one series win from six in charge, with a winning rate of just below 39 per cent. "While I was disappointed with the result, I think the players have had a really good campaign, we just didn't nail the moments," he said. "We've got to make sure we're better at that. "I don't see any reason why that group can't (win it next year) ... no issues there, mate." The playing group rushed to Daley's defence after the loss. "He wasn't the reason that we lost tonight. It was us as players," said halfback Nathan Cleary. "He committed a lot to this preparation. I thought the preparation was really good." Second-rower Liam Martin said the playing group needed to shoulder the blame. "We let him down," said Blues second-rower Liam Martin, whhen asked about Daley. "We are so disappointed as a playing group because the coaching staff, 'Loz', everyone involved, deserved so much more from us. "If there's any criticism, criticise us as the playing group, not 'Loz'. He couldn't have done much more." After his first Origin series, Max King conceded speculation would trigger speculation as to positions, including his own in the forward pack. "I think Laurie's been great. That probably adds to the disappointment, Laurie and the staff have done such a great job," he said. "I think that's a big part of it, losing, you feel responsible. That comes with losing, there's going to be a lot of talk, coaches, positions, a lot of players come under fire, myself and whatnot. "That's just what comes with losing."
