Munster’s six appeal
MAROONS skipper Cameron Smith says Queensland have found Johnathan Thurston’s long-term successor after he successfully lobbied for Cameron Munster to be handed the famous No.6 jumper.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters had agonised over his five-eighth for the Origin decider. He thought about Michael Morgan ... but Smith insisted Munster, his Storm colleague, had six appeal.
If there were any fears about Queensland’s capacity to replace Thurston, they were emphatically answered by Munster, who produced one of the finest debuts in Origin’s 37year history.
With the decider in the balance as Queensland clung to a 12-6 lead, Munster stepped up to the plate. At the hour mark, the Maroons debutant took the ball, straightened, and speared through the NSW line in midfield.
As the NSW cover converged, Munster threw a superb long ball to Valentine Holmes, who juggled the pass and somehow held on to become the fifth Queenslander in Origin history to celebrate a hat-trick.
It gave Queensland an 18-6 lead. Game over.
“Cam was fantastic, absolutely fantastic,” Smith said.
“He ran hard and they found it hard to contain him.
“I knew that Cameron had that in him, I was very confident in him and that’s why when Kev (coach Walters) asked me where to play, I said give him the No.6.
“If he stays healthy and continues, he’ll keep that jersey for a long time.”