Maroons captain Cameron Munster to honour late father Steven in State of Origin decider

Australia Broadcast Center

5 days ago

It is with a heavy heart that Cameron Munster will bravely lead his Queensland side out in Wednesday night's State of Origin series decider.
But he will take to the field knowing his late father is watching down on him, feeling proud and wanting him to play on.
Tributes are flowing for Steven Munster, who died at the age of 58 at the weekend.
A husband to Debbie and father of Danielle and Cameron, Steven was a stalwart of the Rockhampton sporting community and one of the Queensland skipper's biggest supporters.
Just one day before his death, Steven spoke about his desire to see his son captain the Maroons to a historic victory.
He said he and wife Debbie were full of admiration for their son's success.
"Both of us are so proud of the way he's going through his life and now he's captain of Queensland, it's just unbelievable," Steven told the ABC last week.
"He's got to be proud the way he's turned his life around and for where he's come from.
Before his sudden death, Steven had planned to watch the game in Sarina while visiting family.
Cameron Munster was in the Queensland team's Origin camp when he received the heartbreaking news.
He now plans to honour his dad by leading the Maroons out in what will be an emotionally-charged occasion.
The 30-year-old was man of the match in his first game as Maroons skipper during game two in Perth.
Wednesday night will be his 21st Origin match, where he'll be looking to back up that performance.
No Queensland team in the past 45 years has lost the first game and gone on to win the next two games away from home.
Steven Munster will be remembered as a champion sportsman in his own right at his home in central Queensland.
He was a stalwart of Rockhampton Cricket, representing the region as well as earning Australian team selection in indoor cricket.
Speaking to the ABC on Friday, Steven proudly recalled his son's sporting talents as a youngster growing up in central Queensland, as well as his daughter Danielle's achievements in touch football.
"[Cameron] was very good at soccer. He was 11 playing in the under-12s and they did an assessment on him to play [club] soccer in the under-14s for Bluebirds," he said.
"He passed the assessment and had two games off the bench and scored a hat-trick in both games."
He also followed his father's feats on the cricket field by playing A-grade at just 17.
"I turned up late. I dropped him off then went back home, had lunch and came back and he had already got the hat-trick while I was away."
Cameron's NRL club, the Melbourne Storm, offered its condolences to the Munster family.
"Steve was a beloved member of the Storm family and an incredible supporter of Cameron and the club," a spokesperson said.
"He was a regular in the Storm sheds and at events along with his wife, Deborah, and was a constant presence at his State of Origin and Australian representative matches."'
On Monday, Storm and Queensland player Harry Grant, who is also from central Queensland, paid his respects to a "beautiful family".
"It is a tough time for Cam and the immediate family and extended family and everyone in camp but I think the best way we can support him is throwing our arm around him," Grant said.
After taking time away to grieve with his family, Cameron is expected return for the Maroons' final training session, the captain's run, in Sydney on Tuesday.
The Queensland team will also wear black armbands in a tribute to Steven on Wednesday night.