The King anoints successor in text before debut

A TEXT message from Queensland legend Wally Lewis inspired Cameron Munster’s magical Origin debut, as “The King” declared the Melbourne Storm ace will be the Maroons’ five-eighth for the next decade.

News Corp can reveal Lewis, Origin’s greatest player, reached out to Munster as he prepared for his debut in the Queensland No.6 jumper made famous by man known as “the emperor of Lang Park”.

He produced one of the great Origin debuts in the decider, terrorising the Blues in the Maroons’ 22-6 victory, but it was Lewis’s unexpected show of support that galvanised his self-belief.

At 4.28pm, hours before Origin III, Munster heard a beep on his phone.

He was shocked to see a text message from Lewis, the champion Maroons fiveeighth who played the last of his 31 Origin games in 1991 — three years before Munster was born.

As he left the Queensland team hotel to prepare for the biggest night of his life at Suncorp Stadium, he felt a jolt of confidence.

“I just want to wish you the best for tonight’s game, mate,” Lewis said in his text message.

“Playing a series decider is something every footballer dreams of. You are a great player and you will handle the pressure well.

“Queenslanders always trust their mates in Origin. Good luck. Wally Lewis.”

As surprised as he was humbled, Munster promised he would uphold the legacy of the Queensland No.6 jumper.

“Hey thanks a lot Wally,” he replied. “It means a lot coming from you. I will do my best not to let the state down.”

Munster signed off with a thumbs up, an apt metaphor for his magical debut as he ran for 122m and set up two tries, including the midfield bust for Valentine Holmes’s matchsealing hat-trick.

His heroics wowed the rugby league community, but it came as no shock to Storm.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said recently he knew Munster was built for State of Origin.

“He’s a real footy player and he’s a tough kid, so he’s basi- cally made for the Origin arena,” Bellamy said.

Munster said the night was a dream come true.

“It’s a great feeling and I just can’t wait to hopefully go again next year,” he said.

“I tried to embrace every moment I was out there.”

Storm has the benefit of the bye this weekend, meaning Maroons Will Chambers, Tim Glasby and 18th man Felise Kaufusi will not be back at AAMI Park until Monday.