Munster ready to rule
Storm star simply magic as visitors crush Titans
IF Cameron Munster isn’t the best player in the NRL, he is knocking on the door.
The Queensland Origin superstar on Friday night made a miraculous return from injury, then unleashed a special brand of playmaking magic to orchestrate Melbourne’s 42-6 thumping of the Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Munster was originally expected to miss a month with a knee injury and the Titans rued his shock comeback a fortnight early as the Maroons ace and the other Cameron – talismanic skipper Smith – terrorised the Titans.
James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Smith are probably the code’s top three players but Munster’s masterful mauling of the Titans is evidence he can become the king of the NRL.
With Munster and Smith pulling the strings, the Storm were never troubled, leading 18-6 at halftime before sinking the Titans to temporarily claim a share of the NRL lead with Parramatta.
If Munster stays fit, the Storm can win another premiership. There is no more gifted footballer in the league.
There was his rampaging straight-line burst to crash over and open the scoring in the 20th minute. Then came a sublime double-pump and cutout ball from a scrum win for Josh Addo-Carr’s try 10 minutes later for a 12-6 lead.
Along the way, Munster tormented and teased with short balls, deft kicks and slick game-management which provided space for Melbourne monsters Nelson Asofa-Solomona
and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to crush the Gold Coast.
It was another dismal defensive display from the Titans, who leaked seven tries, with Asofa-Solomona and Josh Addo-Carr each celebrating doubles.
TITANIC TINO
Fa’asuamaleaui is a frightening sight. Big Tino will join the Titans next year and Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has reason to get excited.
The 115kg forward belted the Titans in defence and made a series of ferocious charges with 107m and four tackle busts.
TITANIC BLUNDERS
The Titans came into the match having conceded the most tries in the middle-third.
Once again, they were poor in the midfield.
The Titans are mentally soft and Holbrook has to fix it.
The Titans showed great spirit in the first half but nine handling errors in 40 minutes killed them.
Three unforced errors led directly to Melbourne tries with Munster, Addo-Carr and Asofa-Solomona capitalising for an 18-6 halftime lead.
HALFBACK HEADACHE
The Titans suffered another injury blow with promising halfback Jamal Fogarty hobbling off in the second half with a knee problem.