Latest news with #StateofOriginGame2
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL fans all say same thing after eye-opening vision emerges of Latrell Mitchell
South Sydney Rabbitohs fans are starting to get excited after the club released footage of Latrell Mitchell back at training and the star fullback is looking sharp ahead of a return. The Rabbitohs were absolutely devastated ahead of round one when both Cameron Murray and Mitchell went down injured in training. While Murray could be out for the majority of the season, Mitchell was looking at around eight weeks on the sideline. This was a shame for the Rabbitohs fullback who was looking in top shape during pre-season. Incredibly, the Rabbitohs have started 2-0 in 2025 - despite a mounting injury toll - and young fullback Jye Gray has impressed wearing the No.1 jersey. This has opened up the debate on whether Gray should retain the No.1 jersey when Mitchell returns. Although fans are starting to get excited again after footage showed Mitchell going through drills at South Sydneys headquarters only five weeks after the injury. And the sentiment is Mitchell looks in sensational shape as he looks to silence his doubters in 2025. The fullback reportedly locked into pre-season training with his old mentor returning to the club. One fan noted it looks like Mitchell has a point to prove after a turbulent season in 2024. Mitchell was a star for NSW in State of Origin Game 2 last year having torn Queensland apart on the left edge. However, he hardly played for the Rabbitohs after the mid-season Origin game having injured his troubled calf. Mitchell was then suspended for one game and then copped a $20,000 fine after a photo emerged of him with what appeared to be a white substance during a trip to Dubbo for coaching clinics last year. The fullback largely stayed out of the media in the off-season and appeared to be working hard in solitude in a bid to prove all his critics wrong. Rabbitohs fans will welcome back Mitchell with the likes of Tyrone Munro, Euan Aitken and Murray all missing games to start the season. Lachlan Hubner and Jack Wighton have also copped suspensions. Trell looks good. I hope that he can return soon. ❤️💚🐰💪💪 — Karina Haase (@KarinaHaase) March 19, 2025 He looks in immense shape @LordRawls — Kai (@Kait8908) March 19, 2025 Damnnnn trell looks fit! — c (@chrispopovic28) March 19, 2025 Trell lookin like he's got a point to prove this year — user (@AustraliaSniper) March 19, 2025 While fans are excited, the biggest question is where Mitchell returns with Gray setting the standard early in the season. The young Rabbitohs fullback sits second on the Dally M count after two rounds having played a pivotal role for South Sydney to start the season. In the absence of Mitchell, Gray has improved on his debut season last year and taken his game to another level. Gray ran for a staggering 256 metres, he also ran for more than 200 metres last week, made a linebreak and opened the scoring against the Dragons on the weekend. Jamie Humphreys may have received the plaudits for icing the field goal in the 25-24 victory, but it was Gray's industrious work that helped turn the Rabbitohs around. And his two energetic performances continues to raise questions to where Mitchell will slide back in when he returns. Footage shows Mitchell is getting closer to returning. And it is no secret the 27-year-old prefers to play fullback having held the Rabbitohs No.1 jersey for the last few years. But Mitchell made his name as a centre for the Roosters and represented NSW during State of Origin last year in this position. Wayne Bennett may have been set to start Mitchell at fullback for his first game back as coach of the Rabbitohs, but the scenario has slightly changed due to Gray's displays. Regardless, Mitchell will be a huge addition to the team in either the No.1 jersey or at centre.
