'We'll get around him': Cameron Munster confirmed to lead out Queensland for Origin III after his father tragically died
Munster was in Maroons Camp when he got word his father Steven tragically died in Central Queensland on Sunday.
The newly appointed Queensland Captain left his team's camp to be with his family and indicated to Slater he would play Game 3 in Sydney.
The Maroons coach confirmed on Tuesday that Munster will fly down to Sydney to re-join his Queensland teammates.
'Cam will arrive this afternoon, so it'll be good to see him, I can't wait to give him a hug,' Slater said.
'Naturally he's been pretty upset over the last couple of days, but he's been where he's needed to be with his mum and his sister. He's spent some time with them on his way back into camp now.
'They are tragic circumstances, and it was a real sad and sombre mood over the last couple of days. I'm sure the lads are looking forward to seeing him and getting around him as well.'
Slater said there was uncertainty over whether Munster would play, but the Queensland captain said he was 'certain' about representing his state for his 21st Origin appearance.
'That's one thing that he was very firm with. He didn't have a lot of answers for a lot of other things, but he gave that one to me pretty straight,' Slater said.
'Once he said 'I'll be playing Wednesday night' that was it for me.
'We'll get around him this afternoon, we've got a captain's run. Will he take part in that? I'm not sure yet.'
Slater said he understands how Munster feels after he lost his father Ron Slater earlier this year in January.
'I haven't dealt with this as a coach, but I've dealt with it as a person,' he said.
'I lost my father in January, so I know what it's like, and Cam's an inspiration for many people.
'He's a hero to many people in Queensland, and I can only imagine his dad would have been his first inspiration and his first hero.
'He'd be hurting right now and that's why he needs us and he needs his family and you know the one thing about Cam is he's never let anyone down in the past and I don't expect that in the future.'
The Melbourne Storm five-eighth was man of the match in his first game as captain, as Queensland won 26-24 in Game 2 at Perth.
Queensland's victory has set up a series decider in Sydney, after New South Wales won Game 1 in Brisbane, 18-6.
The 30-year-old could cement himself in the history books and lead Queensland to become the first State of Origin side in 45 years to lose the first game and win the next two away from home.
The Maroons are expected to wear black armbands when they take the field.
Game 3 of State of Origin will kick off at 8:05pm (local time) Wednesday at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
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Former Australia captain Cameron Smith told 100% Footy on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case. He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job. "He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it," Smith said. "I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision. "If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment." During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role. "That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," he said. Walters said a possible role for Smith on the coaching staff was "something that we'll have to have a look at". 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