Maroons name new captain after DCE axed
Cameron Munster has jumped over his club captain and been named the new Queensland skipper ahead of the second State of Origin clash in Perth.
The 30-year-old one-time wild child but permanent larrikin replaces Daly Cherry-Evans, who was axed as halfback and captain after the opening loss to NSW at Suncorp Stadium.
Munster was picked by coach Billy Slater ahead of his Melbourne Storm captain and Maroons teammate Harry Grant as well as Gold Coast Titans skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
The clash in Perth on Wednesday will be Munster's 20th Origin appearance for Queensland, having won the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series in 2020.
Slater also confirmed Canterbury Bulldogs forward Kurt Mann would play his first game for Queensland in a new-look team that has to beat the Blues to force a game three decider to avoid losing a second straight series.
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Munster's admission about late night Slater text after being named QLD captain
Cameron Munster has opened up about his shock appointment as Queensland captain and the late night text from coach Billy Slater that had him fearing the worst. The Maroons coach confirmed on Tuesday that Munster would succeed axed skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and lead the side in the must-win State of Origin Game 2 clash against the Blues in Perth on June 18. Munster admits it's a bitter-sweet feeling taking over the captaincy from his 'close mate' DCE but is 'excited' to be handed the honour of leading his state. But the Storm playmaker said he thought Slater was ready to deliver some bad news when he texted Munster to have a late-night conversation at Maroons camp. 'At 9:30 last night Billy just messaged me saying 'are you around?'. I said 'yeah, I'm just sitting in my room' and he's like 'come to my room',' Munster told reporters on Tuesday. 'I was thinking 'what could this be about?' I could be getting dropped or maybe I'm 18th man or something like that.' The news turned out to be better than Munster could have imagined, with Slater choosing the five-eighth to lead the state, ahead of other Maroons captaincy candidates Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - the latter two of which are skippers at their clubs. 'Billy just brought me into the room, said 'look mate, I want you to be the captain for Queensland and I think you will do a great job',' he said. 'He pretty much just told me to lead by my actions, I don't need to be a talker or go out there and try to motivate the boys, they have enough motivation as it is.' Munster has always been regarded as a rugby league larrikin but has grown into a leadership role at Melbourne and is undeniably one of Queensland's most passionate and influential players. Even still, captaining his state is something he never imagined. 'It's pretty emotional, if you asked me that question five or ten years ago everyone would have laughed in your face,' Munster said. 'I think I have developed into a bit of a leadership role over the last three or four years, grown up a little bit. I know that's hard to say." Munster says it's 'disappointing' to see his good friend Cherry-Evans axed from the side and feared replacement No.7 Tom Dearden might take his spot, instead of the former skipper's. 'He's been playing some great footy, unfortunately one of my good mates Chez had to be left out, he's breathing down both our necks, Tommy,' the new Maroons skipper said. 'We had to find a spot for him and look he's been playing some great footy the past couple of years... made that position his own for Australia. I'm really fortunate to play alongside him and I am really excited to see what combination we can bring on Wednesday.' Slater looks set to make a number of eye-opening changes to his squad as they look to keep the Origin series alive in Perth. Having dropped Beau Fermor and brought Kurt Capewell into the squad, the Maroons coach has named the veteran Warriors player to start in the back row alongside Reuben Cotter, with Jeremiah Nanai shifting to the bench. But the biggest shock centres around the demotion of veteran lock Carrigan, who has been named to start off the bench, with Slater handing the No.13 jersey to Storm star Trent Loeiro. Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann takes over the No.14 role from Dearden after missing out on Game 1 as 18th man, with that role set to go to controversial Brisbane playmaker, Ezra Mam. Jack Howarth and Corey Horsburgh are the other two reserves in the Maroons' 20-man squad.
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5 hours ago
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Maroons name new captain after DCE axed
Cameron Munster has jumped over his club captain and been named the new Queensland skipper ahead of the second State of Origin clash in Perth. The 30-year-old one-time wild child but permanent larrikin replaces Daly Cherry-Evans, who was axed as halfback and captain after the opening loss to NSW at Suncorp Stadium. Munster was picked by coach Billy Slater ahead of his Melbourne Storm captain and Maroons teammate Harry Grant as well as Gold Coast Titans skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. The clash in Perth on Wednesday will be Munster's 20th Origin appearance for Queensland, having won the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series in 2020. Slater also confirmed Canterbury Bulldogs forward Kurt Mann would play his first game for Queensland in a new-look team that has to beat the Blues to force a game three decider to avoid losing a second straight series.
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Maroons coach defends Mam selection
Maroons coach Billy Slater has defended his decision to choose controversial Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam in an extended 20-man Queensland squad for Wednesday week's State of Origin clash in Perth. On a day when Slater also confirmed the axing of 36-year-old Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, his selection of Mam – who isn't expected to make Queensland's match-day 17 but could be the 18th man – raised eyebrows, with the Broncos star having only recently returned from a nine-match NRL suspension after being banned for a drug-driving scandal that resulted in him being sent to rehab and fined $120,000. 'He's been doing a great job over the last few weeks since he's returned,' Slater said in explaining his selection of Mam. 'We feel that the squad will benefit from him being here. He's been a part of this squad before and I'm sure he'll take his opportunity if presented. 'I'm sure people will have their speculation around all the people selected.' Cherry-Evans' spot has gone to North Queensland Cowboys half Tom Dearden for a game the Maroons must win to keep the Origin series alive. 'It's just a case of the best person for the position,' Slater said. 'When you're in this position to make decisions, you have to think what's best for the footy team. We just feel Tom is the right person for the No.7 jersey right now. 'Obviously, Daly wanted to play and he was disappointed that he wasn't going to get the opportunity, but he took the news with great character and great respect. 'We had a good conversation. We've got a great relationship. 'You won't hear a negative word from me about Daly Cherry-Evans. What he's given this jersey and what he's done for this footy team in this group, that will be with all Queenslanders and with Daly for the rest of his life. 'No one can take that away from him.' Dearden's previous spot on the bench is set to go to Canterbury's Kurt Mann, while Warriors star Kurt Capewell is set to be included in the 17 at the expense of axed Gold Coast Titans forward Beau Fermor. Slater said the Maroons' new captain would be announced on Tuesday when the final 17 was confirmed. Maroons 20-man squad: Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Mo Fotuaika, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Kurt Capewell, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh.
