Munster covets Reformed pivot would love to succeed Inglis
CAMERON Munster says his days of alcohol-fuelled partying are over as the Maroons ace sets his sights on succeeding Greg Inglis as Queensland captain.
As he prepares for his third Origin match in Game Two on Sunday night at ANZ Stadium, Munster has outlined his ambition to take on a leadership role as the Maroons look to a new generation of interstate stars.
Just six months ago, Munster confronted the first crisis of his NRL career when he was put on notice by Australia coach Mal Meninga over his boozy behaviour during the Kangaroos’ World Cup campaign.
During that tournament, Munster had a minor altercation with Ben Hunt, his now Queensland halves partner, at a Darwin pub – a seminal moment that convinced the Maroons pivot he had to grow up.
Munster recently said he carried on like a “d***head” and part of his reformation involved a two-month alcohol ban.
Now, at a time when Queensland are seeking fresh leaders to replace Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and Darius Boyd, Munster is getting serious about leadership.
While Inglis is locked in as Queensland’s captain for at least the next 18 months, the 23-year-old Munster believes his evolution as an Origin player involves the responsibility of captaincy.
“To be honest, I’d love the chance to captain Queensland,” said Munster, who will get his first taste of Origin on Sydney soil on Sunday after his dream debut at Suncorp last year and his recent outing in Melbourne.
“It’s every kid’s dream to captain their state.
“If ‘Kevvie’ (Queensland coach Kevin Walters) or whoever the coach is at the time decides I am the right option to captain the team and think that I can direct the team in the right direction, I would be more than happy to take the captaincy.
“Only 13 players have cap- tained the Maroons so it would be nice to have the ‘c’ next to my name and lead a Queensland team out in front of a big crowd in Sydney or Brisbane or Melbourne.”
If anyone can appraise Munster’s transformation from teenage unknown to Origin playmaker, it is Storm and Maroons forward Tim Glasby.
The 29-year-old Glasby first saw Munster emerge as a 17year-old in the Intrust Super Cup and while he jokes about his larrikin personality, the Storm prop has detected a change in the Maroons fiveeighth’s attitude.
“Actually, I was captain of the Central Queensland Capras when he made his debut (in the Intrust Super Cup),” Glasby said. “He was only 17 and I vividly remember ‘Munni’ making his debut against the Northern Pride.
“I’ve seen a lot of very talented players fall through the cracks. Looking back, Cam had a lot of skill and he was clearly naturally talented, but I probably thought he was an annoying little bugger.
“I didn’t know where he would go in the game, but Cam’s always been a good fella at heart and he just had to mature a bit.”
Whether Munster stays loyal to the Storm remains the million-dollar question. He is off-contract next year.
LOOKING BACK, CAM HAD A LOT OF SKILL AND HE WAS CLEARLY NATURALLY TALENTED, BUT I PROBABLY THOUGHT HE WAS AN ANNOYING LITTLE BUGGER.
LAINE CLARK DYLAN Napa’s fitness will be assessed today after the Queensland prop tested his ankle injury at the Maroons’ Gold Coast camp.
Napa had been given until yesterday to overcome the injury in order to play Sunday’s must-win State of Origin Game Two and he took part in all but the final five minutes of Queensland’s first official training session.
While fullback Billy Slater (hamstring) declared himself a certain starter, Napa’s availability will hinge on how he pulls up today.
“It was really pleasing seeing him training today, it’s positive signs for Dylan,” Slater said.