Latest news with #CameronMunster
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cameron Munster and Harry Grant make call on who they'd love as Aussie coach
Queensland captain Cameron Munster has endorsed his former teammate and NRL great Cameron Smith as a top candidate to take over the head coaching role for the national side. Smith is firming as a strong favourite to become the next Kangaroos coach - after Mal Meninga stepped down to coach the Perth Bears - after Brad Fittler's surprise decision to drop out of the race. Fittler confirmed he was committed to his media roles and wasn't prepared to take on the Australian coaching role with the Ashes tour coming up at the end of the NRL season. Smith and Kevin Walters are now believed to be the leading candidates for the role, with the international schedule starting in October. Smith already opened up about his interest in the role, but admitted he had similar reservations and would have to weigh-up the commitment. While Smith has not met with any Australian Rugby League official about the role, he has already received a glowing endorsement from some of the game's best players. Smith is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game having played 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne. And Queensland and Kangaroos five-eighth Munster has praised his former Melbourne Storm captain as the right man to take over the job. Smith considered one of the best minds in the game and Munster believes his ability to translate his knowledge onto the players would hold him in good stead for the coaching job. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen," Munster said in State of Origin camp. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." One of Smith's best attributes as a player was reading the game as he controlled the game from the ruck. And Munster said there was a simplicity to his tactics that would help some of the game's elite players. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Current Storm No.9 Harry Grant was Smith's understudy for a number of years in Melbourne, before getting a chance to take over the role when his captain retired. And Grant feels Smith would elevate the game of players such as Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas when they learn off him in Kangaroos camp. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." RELATED: Gorden Tallis responds after Billy Slater tipped to make sad decision Fresh push for change as anger over Walsh and Kiraz selection grows While Smith is receiving plenty of praise from his former teammate. Walters also is reportedly in the race. One of the factors working against Smith is he has no experience as a head coach, but previously worked as an assistant to Billy Slater with the Queensland State of Origin team. Walters has recently coach the Broncos having taken them to the 2023 NRL grand final. Althouttgh he was axed the following year after the Broncos failed to make the top eight. Both have media roles and would be expected to drop some of their commitments if they take the Australian coaching job.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Make their life hell': Liam Martin won't let history repeat as he eyes revenge against long-time rival Cameron Munster
NSW enforcer Liam Martin says he'd hate himself if he was a Queenslander watching his style of play, but he has the chance to infuriate fans north of the border next week by tormenting their main attacking weapon after Cameron Munster got the better of the Blues in Perth. Martin has made a habit of going after anyone in an opposition jersey, with his brutal approach making him one of the most loved players for supporters of the Panthers, Blues and Kangaroos. But he can be easy to root against if you don't support those teams, with the fearless forward admitting his on-field persona – which is very different to the kind soul off the field – even gets under his skin when he watches back replays. That was evident in game two in Perth when he whacked Maroons forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to jolt the ball free and then gave it to his rival, prompting Andrew Johns to call him 'incredibly mad' in commentary. But he was on the receiving end five plays later when Valentine Holmes jammed in and forced an error as Martin ran with the ball near halfway that led to Maroons players getting in his face. 'I'd hate me. I'd think I was the biggest bloody grub and Derek there is,' Martin replied when asked how he'd view himself if he was a Queenslander. 'That's part of footy. I'd like to think that if people met me away from the field then they'd think I'm actually an all-right guy. 'You can't take what you do for the 80 minutes (and focus on that) because there are another 10,000 minutes in the week with what I'm like away from footy. 'You've got to give it as good as you get. I was into Tino, and then watching it back I was like 'Oh God, I'm carrying on'. Then Val put a good shot on me, so as I said, you can only give it as good as you get. 'I'm very passionate, so when I get on the field, it comes out in that competitiveness. Watching some of the games back, I'm like 'Oh God, what am I doing?' but in the moment I enjoy it. 'Half the time (I'm watching replays) I try to skip over it (because I know what comes next).' A loss next Wednesday would hand the Origin shield back to the Maroons, but it's hyperbolic to say this would be the last dance for any of the NSW players. That said, Martin felt like Michael Jordan and took it personally as Munster relished the Queensland captaincy and was named man of the match after inspiring his side to victory in Perth. 'I said before the game that I knew he'd want to stand up as captain and that it was probably my job to go after him,' he said. 'That's what you do as a back-rower with your opposing half – you try to make it hard for them. I probably didn't do my job in game two, so I'll definitely be looking to change that in game three. 'You've just got to be on high alert every time he's anywhere near the ball. You don't know what he's going to do, so you've got to be in the moment and expect the unexpected. 'It's pretty difficult sometimes, but you just hope your teammates have got your back.' There's a school of thought that the Maroons might wilt if Munster is kept quiet, with Martin the man to go after him next week in a bid to take away Queensland's biggest threat. Beau Scott did it to Johnathan Thurston in the 2014 series, Wade Graham tormented Cooper Cronk in the 2016 grand final, and now the reigning Clive Churchill Medal winner has the chance to nullify Munster like he did in last year's NRL showpiece event. 'It's probably the role I can play in the team. It's a job I need to get done, and hopefully it goes towards us winning it,' the back-rower said. 'It's your job as the back-rower to keep that opposing half under control and try to make their life hell and take them away from their game. It's frustrating when you see them do well so I'll be looking to change that in game three. 'The half is normally the team's best player and their general, so you try to make their life hell and take them off their game. It's part of your job.'
News.com.au
23-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Matty: Munster a 'Top 10 Origin player'
State of Origin: Matty Johns has called Cameron Munster a top ten greatest State of Origin player after he lead the Maroons to victory in Perth.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL fans all say the same about Latrell Mitchell as Craig Bellamy caught in wild act
NRL fans have been left in disbelief at the effort from Latrell Mitchell and an injury-hit Rabbitohs having pushed Melbourne Storm to golden point as Craig Bellamy was seen losing his temper in the coaching box. The Storm entered the clash against South Sydney Rabbitohs as heavy favourites with the likes of Harry Grant and Cameron Munster backing up from Queensland's State of Origin win. And Grant ducked over the try line after only a few moments, before Jahrome Hughes scored to send shockwaves through the Rabbitohs team. The Storm looked like they could run up a cricket score against the Rabbitohs with Wayne Bennett's side missing a host of stars after a horror run of injuries for the club. However, Mitchell showed why he is one of the most feared players in the game having put on a masterclass to drag the Rabbitohs from the brink and into the contest. Mitchell set up three tries for Alex Johnston with similar cutout passes as the Storm failed to contain the Rabbitohs fullback. But it was the fourth try to Tyrone Munro that left fans in awe. The Storm had just taken the lead 24-20 after Tyran Wishart scored following a sensational solo run from Sua Fa'alago. The Rabbitohs appeared to have run out of steam with the Storm holding them out with a few minutes left. But the Rabbitohs managed to get the ball back after a Storm mistake with five minutes to go. Charging down the field, Latrell got the ball 40 metres out from the Storm try line and noticed Ryan Papenhuyzen was out of position. The fullback put in a long grubber behind the defensive line and it bounced up nicely for Munro. The play levelled the score at 24-all, but Mitchell wasn't able to slot the conversion from the sideline. Unfortunately for the Rabbitohs, Papenhuyzen slotted home the winning drop goal during golden point to end a valiant effort from a battered and bruised South Sydney side. Rabbitohs centre Jack Wighton was full of praise for his side after the game. "We fought right to the end there but fell short," Wighton said. While they lost the game, the praise belonged to Johnston and Mitchell. Fans were in awe of Mitchell's ability to stand up when his team needs him the most with the NSW Blues star backing up after a tough Origin appearance. Mitchell is also going a long way to shut down his critics that doubted he was the best option for fullback at the Rabbitohs. Latrell Mitchell really is a 1 of 1. — The SuperCoach Whisperer (@SCWhisperer) June 21, 2025 Latrell Mitchell just doing Latrell Mitchell things. #NRLSouthsStorm — Lachlan Jeffery (@LachlanJeffery) June 21, 2025 Latrell Mitchell is the best rugby league player in the world. All other opinions are incredibly false. #nrl — ColaFur (@cola_fur) June 21, 2025 While the Rabbitohs managed to claw their way back into the contest with a few minutes left, Bellamy was left fuming. The Storm were uncharacteristically ill-disciplined in the final 20 minutes against South Sydney and turned over the ball a number of times. With the Storm leading 24-20 with five minutes left, Melbourne lost the ball pushing the past through the hands of the outside backs. This handed the Rabbitohs the ball and an attempt to level the game. And the broadcast panned up to coach Bellamy who was unleashing what appeared to be a tirade into the walkie talkie after the error. Fans were left stunned and worried for the Storm players who were potentially in for one of Bellamy's stern talks in the dressing room. While Bellamy cut a more relaxed figure after the game, fans were left stunned at the coaching box blow-up. Forget this game - Craig Bellamy is putting on an absolute fireworks display in the coach's box tonight. Seriously, he scares the shit out of me. You wouldn't go in the sheds at halftime. #NRLSouthsStorm — Ross Martin (@RossMartin1960) June 21, 2025 Can we just get a coach camera in the top right of the broadcast the entire game. Would love to see Craig Bellamy on screen 24/7 — Xero (@Xero__AU) June 21, 2025 RELATED: Tigers fans call out Marshall over bizarre snub of star as issue answered Raiders stars in stunning move for Ricky Stuart and son after tough week While Bellamy was left utterly frustrated with his team's performance in victory, he reserved plenty of praise for Bennett's side who were valiant in defeat. "We lost patience but having said that, you've got to give Souths a lot of credit for coming back," said Bellamy. "I think we were really fortunate to get out of it at the end." The Storm jumped to third on the ladder after the victory, with the Warriors going down to the Panthers, while the Rabbitohs dropped to 15th as they wait for some of their stars to return. While the Rabbitohs are struggling for results, Johnston moved only six behind the benchmark of 212 tries that Ken Irvine set in 1973. "I said to him at half-time, 'Have you got another try?' He said, 'I've got another couple in me'," Bennett said of Johnston, who scored his final three tries after the break. "He's pretty pleased with himself and we are too."
Courier-Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
‘Fraud': Blues scammed by unrecognisable superstar in series-tying loss, Cameron Munster, Billy Slater
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. COMMENT Let history show there was only one fraud responsible for ensuring an Origin decider in 2025 - and it wasn't Ashley Klein. Cameron Munster's infectious performance in game two will not only be remembered as one of the great playmaker's knocks, but also the biggest scam in Origin history. Why? Not because the Maroons barely eked home on sloppy Blues goalkicking, nor because Klein blew the whistle so often he was mistaken for a car alarm. Nope, it's because Munster did the Blues dirty with a shock new routine - the ability to dominate in Priest Mode. In horrific news for NSW, the captain's role has unlocked a new aspect of Munster that's as level-headed as it is two-faced. Announced as the state's new leader last week, Munster as a Maroons father figure was always bound to conflict with the bottle blonde tomcat we've come to know in so many larrikin grabs and grainy viral videos. Cameron Munster led the Maroons to victory with a dominant display. Cameron Munster led out a team of leaders for the Queensland. (Photo by) But when he presented with a chill steeliness and clean shaven face at his unveiling, we were witnessing the beginning of the transition in real time. Then when he fronted multiple media calls throughout the week in full dad mode and team uniform - and not just to crack zingers or issue a public apology - he was truly unrecognisable. But once Munster lead by example on the paddock in a man of the match performance, not only had he fully transformed in to one of those testimonials on a Tony Robbins self help manual, he'd also confirmed his appointment a rousing success. Sure, it's too early to elevate the new skipper to the bar alongside esteemed types like Baron Cameron Smith, especially after he confirmed his latent larrikinism by slipping a cheeky F-bomb in the post-match interview like a verbal wink in a hostage video. However, the 30 year old proved Wednesday night that the weight of responsibility won't hamper the spring in his step. Billy Slater nailed the captaincy call on Cameron Munster. (Photo by) Cameron Munster was all heart on Wednesday night. (Photo by COLIN MURTY / AFP) Just because he was Danny Tanner all week and held a stridently earnest pre-match interview with Johnathan Thurston on the team bus didn't mean he'd also play his footy like a sitcom dad. And just because he openly professed his love for the coach in the post-match press conference without being six beers deep doesn't mean he'll lose his playful edge either. Credit where it's due, Billy Slater has made his fair share of boofheaded decisions this series but he's absolutely nailed this one to the wall. With the series on the line, the coach was under stifling pressure to pull the right rein on Daly Cherry-Evans' replacement at skipper, lest be underlined as the first Queensland coach sunk by Aaron Woods. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY But when he ignored a raft of club captains to anoint Munster as captain, many believed he'd confused the state role with the social club. For all his mercurial brilliance, the Storm talisman has been widely celebrated as the Dally Messenger of good times, a free spirit whose rhinocerene appetite for a beer is matched only by his love of a poor decision. Who could forget when he was sin binned in the 2018 grand final for kicking? Or when he was banned for 12 months by the QRL in 2016 for breaking curfew at an Emerging Origin camp? X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Conversely, what about playing a leading hand in the 2020 series victory after fronting the team photo looking like he'd just served a 12 week sentence in the Milton brewery? Munster has always saddled the line between professional and playboy, a position that reached a crossroads in 2021 when he was sprung on film mucking up on the Gold Coast with Brandon Smith. When it comes to selecting a new skipper, there's no scarier trio of terms on a CV than 'unidentified white powder', 'Gold Coast' and 'The Cheese' - but Slater still bravely gambled on his five-eighth and its come up trumps. Sure, we've all seen similar glimpses of Reverend Munster in recent times as he abandoned the bottle and the extra pounds, albeit the latter only because his wife jibed him about his muffin top. But his performance to save the series proves this captaincy caper could catapult his influence in Origin further towards Wally-esque areas. And all they had to do was shave him down and let him flip the coin. - Dane Eldridge is a warped cynic yearning for the glory days of rugby league, a time when the sponges were magic and the Mondays were mad. He's never strapped on a boot in his life, and as such, should be taken with a grain of salt. Originally published as 'Fraud': Blues scammed by unrecognisable superstar in series-tying loss
