Munster set for Origin pivot with Morgan at centre

THE entire Storm “spine’’ is set to take charge of Queensland’s State of Origin team, with Cameron Munster to be blooded at five- eighth in next week’s series decider.

The quality of Munster’s defence and his club association with hooker Cameron Smith, halfback Cooper Cronk and fullback Billy Slater are two factors leading the Queensland selectors to choosing the 22- year- old to fill Johnathan Thurston’s boots.

Michael Morgan’s first start for the Maroons is likely to come at left centre.

Morgan scored two tries and produced three try assists from halfback to dominate North Queensland’s 31- 18 win in Canberra on Saturday.

The previous night, Munster’s strong hand for Melbourne included one try assist and one line break assist in a 42- 12 win over the Broncos.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters said in a radio interview yesterday that Munster would be in the Maroons squad to be announced this afternoon without being drawn on his position.

Daly Cherry- Evans, man of the match for Manly in a round of mostly rousing selection trials by Maroons, or Bronco Ben Hunt will take the bench place held by Morgan in the first two matches of the series against NSW.

Morgan produced game- changing offloads while raiding the right corner in the 2015 grand final for North Queensland and for Queensland in the Origin II win over NSW last month.