Latest news with #21stOrigin
Sky News AU
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
'We'll get around him': Cameron Munster confirmed to lead out Queensland for Origin III after his father tragically died
Queensland coach Billy Slater has confirmed Cameron Munster will play in the State of Origin decider in Sydney on Wednesday night. 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.
Sky News AU
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Queensland captain Cameron Munster leaves Origin camp following tragic death of father
Rugby League superstar Cameron Munster has been rocked by the devastating death of his father, Steven. Munster was in Maroons Camp when he got word of the devastating news of his father's shock death overnight. The newly appointed Queensland Captain will leave his team's camp just days out from the State of Origin series decider. He will return home to be with his family and then rejoin the team on Wednesday to play Game 3 in Sydney. Maroons coach Billy Slater stood with his squad as he made a statement to the media on Sunday morning. "Unfortunately, we woke to the sad news of the passing of Cameron Munster's father, Steven Munster, overnight,' Slater said. 'Cam will exit camp to be with his family before rejoining his team for the game on Wednesday. "On behalf of myself, our footy team and the state of Queensland we send our thoughts, our love and condolences to Steven Munster's family and friends, in particular his wife Debbie, his daughter Danielle and of course his son Cameron.' Munster's NRL team the Melbourne Storm also released a statement following their player's loss. 'Melbourne Storm wishes to offer its deepest condolences to the Munster family following the passing of Cameron's father Steve overnight,' the statement said. 'Steve was a beloved member of the Storm family and an incredible supporter of Cameron and the Club. '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.' The Melbourne Storm five-eighth will be looking to seal a Maroons victory on Wednesday night in his 21st Origin appearance. The 30-year-old was man of the match in his first game as captain, winning 26-24 in Game 2 at Perth. Queensland's victory now means a series decider in Sydney, after New South Wales won Game 1 in Brisbane, 18-6. No Maroons side in 45 years has lost the first game and won the next two away from home. Munster said his side will have to relish the underdog status and break another record to ensure victory lands in Queensland's lap come Wednesday night. "There's a lot riding on it and there's a lot of history that needs to be broken, but things tend to get broken," Munster said post-match in Perth. "I'm probably going to need to stand up again for Game three and I'll make sure I do. "I have played in a decider in Sydney when we just got beaten by them in the last two minutes. We had come back in a miraculous way. "I think we were down 14 points at one stage, but then Tedesco scored and broke our hearts.'
