Cameron Munster provided an emphatic answer to questions over his place in the Maroons’ Origin squad with a starring role in Melbourne’s NRL mauling of the Wests Tigers on Sunday. The 44-18 victory snapped the Storm’s seven-game losing streak but it could have come at a major cost, with star fullback Sua Fa’alogo potentially facing a number of weeks on the sidelines with a suspected cheekbone fracture.
For Munster though, it was a timely return to form after an underwhelming start to the season that had raised questions about whether he deserved to be picked in Billy Slater’s Queensland Origin squad. Munster admitted recently that he was well down on form and confidence and had even questioned his future in the game. But he exploded back to form against the depleted Tigers on Sunday.
Cameron Munster (R) returned to form for Melbourne after his Origin role was questioned, while fullback Sua Fa’alogo (L) picked up a costly injury against the Tigers. Pic: Fox League/Getty
Benji Marshall’s squad was already without a host of stars including Api Koroisau (suspension) Jahream Bula (shoulder) and Adam Doueihi (shoulder). And prop Terrell was also a late scratching before kick-off after flying back to Sydney to be with his partner for the birth of their first child.
Cameron Munster returns to form ahead of Origin
And Munster took full advantage of the understrength visitors to remind critics about his Origin pedigree. The Queensland captain scored two tries to go with 100 run metres, a line break and a tackle bust for the Storm to leave Matty Johns in no doubt that he would be part of the Maroons squad when the teams for Game 1 are announced after Magic Round next weekend.
“There has been a bit of talk about whether Munster will be picked for Origin,” he said on ‘Sunday Night with Matty Johns’ after the game. “It’d just be diabolical (if they don’t pick him),” the former NSW star said about Munster, whose return to form coincided with teammate and Maroons hooker Harry Grant’s best game in weeks.
Munster says he hasn’t spoken to Slater about Origin selection for the Maroons. “No, I don’t really talk to Bill about selection – I’ve got to worry about my own backyard and it’ll take care of itself,” Munster said.
But his return to form on Sunday takes on even more significance after Queensland halfback Tom Dearden’s injury for the Cowboys on Friday night that’s ruled him out of the Origin series. “I know it’s not ideal with Tommy (Dearden) at the moment, so I’m pretty disappointed for him as he’s been playing some good footy and it’s going to be a big loss,” Munster said.
“But whoever’s in the spine … I’m sure they’ll get the job done. There’s some great guys that can play that position, DCE (Daly Chery-Evans), (Jake) Clifford, Sammy Walker, Jamal Fogarty so I’m sure Bill’s not short of suitors.”
Maroons captain Cameron Munster’s timely return to form for the Melbourne Storm will be a welcome relief for Queensland coach Billy Slater. Pic: Getty
(Paul Kane via Getty Images)Storm fullback Sua Fa’alogo facing possible stint on sidelines
The more immediate concern for Munster and the Storm is around Fa’alogo, who’ll miss next Saturday’s Magic Round clash against Parramatta after failing an HIA after a brutal first half incident. The Storm fullback suffered a suspected cheekbone fracture after clashing heads with teammate Jahrome Hughes while trying to prevent a try.
How long Fa’alogo is sidelined for will depend on the results of scans to determine the extent of the damage. But Brien Seeney of the NRL Physio account suggested the livewire could be facing three to six weeks on the sidelines if there is a fracture. Fa’alogo is the Storm’s leading try-scorer with 12 in 10 games this season and his absence would be a major blow to Craig Bellamy’s side.
with agencies