Cameron Munster\u2019s career as a five-eighth is fast becoming iconic \u2014 yet when it began he was crippled by anxiety that he was incapable of playing the position, Matty Johns has revealed.<\/p>\n
Melbourne champion Billy Slater suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Round 1 of the 2016 season, opening a path for Munster to return to the No.1 jersey after playing 19 games in 2015.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to the 2017 season, with Slater returning, Craig Bellamy had to find a new position for the rising star. <\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Munster slotted into the five-eighth role, but according to Johns, he was convinced he didn\u2019t have the ability to wear the No.6.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember doing some stuff with Munster and he was having \u201cenormous anxiety\u201d about playing No.6. He didn\u2019t believe he could do it,\u201d Johns said on the Matty and Cronk podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reason he didn\u2019t believe he could do it, he thought he had to do the things that you (Cronk) did. <\/p>\n \u201cHad to organise and ball play. Then he came to the conclusion, \u2018I just have to play how I do, play unorthodox\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n The rest, as they say, is history.<\/p>\n Sharks in danger as Bears chase Brailey | 02:23<\/p>\n Johns now regards Munster as one of the top Origin players of all time, as well as widely being regarding as one of rugby league\u2019s best ever five-eighths.<\/p>\n He has also won two premierships and a staggering five Origin series.<\/p>\n Johns believed Munster was a rare case study in rugby league of players that have succeeded in making a full time positional switch from the outside backs to the halves.<\/p>\n For the league legend, Dolphins gun Jake Averillo is the perfect example of how a short-term switch can unlock the best of a player\u2019s abilities.<\/p>\n The former Bulldogs star scored a double, but could easily have scored a handful more according to Johns.<\/p>\n However, a long-term move can make a player begin to doubt why they found success in their new position in the first place, with Averillo previously being unable to lock down a halves position during his time at Canterbury.<\/p>\n \u201cI like it, (when) it\u2019s for a short stint and you take an outside back and you put them in at No.6, a bit like I have a theory when wingers go to fullback,\u201d Johns said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they play two to three games they generally excel, when Averillo went to No.6 I thought this would suit him.<\/p>\n ‘One finals win’: O’Brien Knights debate | 03:31<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n MCKINNON: Next move Knights must nail, why O\u2019Brien should walk before pushed<\/a><\/p>\n POWER RANKINGS: Big Bulldogs doubts as Broncos time run to perfection<\/a><\/p>\n