Munster playing injured
Star up for Origin battle
Maroons maestro Cameron Munster has revealed he has been playing with a broken rib and cartilage damage and could require painkilling needles to get through the State of Origin opener.
In a remarkable show of toughness, Storm coach Craig Bellamy said his star fiveeighth had been secretly carrying a number of injuries in the wake of Melbourne’s 24-16 defeat of the Dolphins on Saturday night.
Bellamy refused to disclose the precise nature of the injuries, but Munster set the record straight, confirming he has rib problems that NSW defenders will surely target in Origin I at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday week.
Munster will be one of the first players chosen when the Queensland team is named on Monday and following his Dolphins masterclass, the Maroons pivot said he had played through the pain barrier for the past five weeks.
“I’ve had a fractured rib and some rib cartilage damage,” he said.
“I also had some hyperextension in my elbow after contact with ‘Fuse’ (Felise Kaufusi on Saturday night).
“When I played against Manly, I fractured my rib and I’ve been getting referred pain to my ribs around the back, so I’ve been jabbing up (with painkilling injections) and playing on.
“I’m not the only bloke in the game that’s carrying injuries and playing footy, so it’s part of the trade.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of blokes who are in contention for Origin who are underdone or worse for wear, but once you put that jersey on, the pain all goes away and you try and do your best for the state.”
Despite the injuries, Munster was outstanding against the Dolphins and the Storm five-eighth has consistently proven he is one of the toughest players in the code.
In the season opener against the Eels, the Maroons champion played through a compound finger fracture which required surgery and sidelined him for three weeks.
Rib-cartilage damage is one of the most painful injuries in the game – players usually take time out to treat the ailment – but Munster insists he is determined to play in Origin I.
“I’m in the wars at the moment but if I’ve done enough to get picked for Queensland, I will do everything I can to get myself right,” he said.
“It’s a badge of honour (playing through the pain) and you don’t want to show the boys that you are hurting.
“But sometimes you do get the odd knock and start wincing. It’s my nature to carry on a little bit, it’s probably not as bad as it looks.
“I would love to get the good news and be part of another Queensland team.”