Latest news with #StevenMunster
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
New details come to light about State of Origin star's awful family tragedy
Cameron Munster is determined to lead his team out during Wednesday night's State of Origin decider, despite receiving the sudden and tragic news that his father, Steven, had passed away over the weekend. On Sunday, Queensland coach Billy Slater announced the news to members of the press, stating that the Maroons five-eighth was traveling back to see his family in Central Queensland. Munster was in camp with the squad and was heading for a coffee when he learned that his father had died, according to The Courier Mail. The Melbourne Storm star broke down in tears upon hearing the news and his team-mates gathered around him to support their captain. It is understood that he then met with Slater straight, where he affirmed his intent to lead his team out for Wednesday's Origin decider at the Accor Stadium. The 30-year-old Maroons star then left the camp and headed home to see his family, while the rest of the squad travelled to the Sunshine Coast Stadium for a training session. Upon arriving at the venue, Slater delivered a statement to members of the media after the Munster family had given the Queensland coach permission to make the news public knowledge. In a heartwarming show of support to their captain and his family, the team gathered around Slater as he issued his condolences. '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 re-joining 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.' New South Wales and Munster's club side, Melbourne Storm, have also both spoken on the heartbreaking news. 'New South Wales Rugby League and the NSW Blues are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Queensland captain Cameron Munster's father, Steve,' a statement from NSW read. 'We would like to send our condolences to Cameron and his family during this difficult time.' Munster's father is understood to have been battling health issues for some time after having been diagnosed with diabetes. 'Mum has high blood pressure and Dad has had diabetes for a long time,' Munster said, speaking on his parents during the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2020. 'If either one of them was to get (sick) they would be in serious trouble. Dad has had diabetes for a long time, he's not the best at looking after himself with it.' It is understood Steven had suddenly on Saturday night. Broncos star Reece Walsh has filled in for Munster in the five-eighth role during his absence, with the 30-year-old playmaker expected to return to camp on Tuesday, ahead of Wednesday's clash in Sydney. Now, members of the Maroons squad have opened up on how they plan to honour Steven and support the Munster family during this week's huge match. Munster's Storm team-mate Harry Grant explained that the team will gather around their captain and endeavour to beat their rivals, New South Wales. 'The best way we can support him [Cameron] is by throwing our arm around him and ultimately with our performance and our preparation,' Grant said. 'What we can control is our performance and that's the best way to pay our respects to the family. 'There's plenty of motivation for us as Queenslanders to make Queensland proud. 'This is another thing for us to be able to wrap our arms around our mate and make him and his family proud as well.' Munster was handed the captaincy for State of Origin II after Manly veteran Daly Cherry-Evans was dropped by Slater following Queensland's State of Origin I defeat at Suncorp Stadium. The Storm five-eighth produced a man-of-the-match performance, leading his team to an epic two-point victory against New South Wales, to set up Wednesday night's blockbuster clash in Sydney. Munster was again lauded by Grant, who paid homage to the 30-year-old's strength and bravery in choosing to play in the upcoming game. 'When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to the whole of his family and 'Stevie-boy' would love to see him out there in the Maroon, captaining his state,' Grant added. 'I think it is very brave the way he is handling the situation. We have to respect the way he is handling it and respect the way he is doing things and give him that time and space to flick the mindset to Queensland Maroons, Origin and what is around the corner.' 'It is a show of character from Cameron and also to his family. Ultimately he wants to lace the boots up and wear the maroon and make his family proud. 'It shows the strength of character of Cam and who he is and, more importantly, how much the maroon means to him and his family.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Queensland stars reveal how they plan to honour Cameron Munster's late father during Wednesday's State of Origin decider
Queensland have revealed how they plan to honour Cameron Munster's late father, Steven, during their State of Origin decider on Wednesday night at the Accor Stadium in Sydney. The Maroons camp was rocked this week by the sudden and tragic passing of Steven Munster, with coach Billy Slater issuing a statement to members of the media on Sunday regarding the news. Cameron, who captained the side for the first time in his footy career during Queensland's State of Origin II victory in Perth, is bravely set to lead his team out again on Wednesday. It comes after he travelled back home to be with his family in Central Queensland on Sunday. 'It hits everyone hard,' hooker Harry Grant explained, reflecting on the tragic news. '(The Munsters) are a beautiful family and I've had plenty of moments and experiences with the family over the years.' Grant has also opened up on how the team is hoping to honour Steven and support the Munster family ahead of this week's Origin decider. 'The best way we can [do to] support him is by throwing our arm around him and ultimately with our performance and our preparation,' Grant added. 'What we can control is our performance and that's the best way to pay our respects to the family. 'There's plenty of motivation for us as Queenslanders to make Queensland proud. 'This is another thing for us to be able to wrap our arms around our mate and make him and his family proud as well.' New South Wales also issued a touching tribute to Munster's father over the weekend, while sending their condolences to his family. 'New South Wales Rugby League and the NSW Blues are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Queensland captain Cameron Munster's father Steve,' a statement on the Blues' website read. 'We would like to send our condolences to Cameron and his family during this difficult time.' Steven was his son's biggest fan, regularly travelling up and down the country to watch the Melbourne Storm five-eighth play, alongside his partner, Debbie. Munster had been handed the Maroons captain's armband after Slater opted to drop Origin veteran Daly Cherry-Evans from his squad following their State of Origin I defeat. The Storm star led by example during Origin II, making 21 tackles while running 160m with the ball in hand, guiding his side to a two-point victory. Now with the series level at 1-1, Grant added that Steven would have wanted his son to play in the final match. 'When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to the whole of his family and 'Stevie-boy' would love to see him out there in the maroon captaining his state,' Grant added. 'I think it is very brave the way he is handling the situation. We have to respect the way he is handling it and respect the way he is doing things and give him that time and space to flick the mindset to Queensland Maroons, Origin and what is around the corner.' 'It is a show of character to Cameron and also to his family. Ultimately he wants to lace the boots up and wear the maroon and make his family proud. 'It shows the strength of character of Cam and who he is and more importantly how much the maroon means to him and his family. 'For us, it leads to supporting him, wrapping our arms around him but also doing that with our performances. 'It's a great show of courage and strength from Cam but he is with his family and dealing with that. Once the game comes around he is prepared to do his job.' Ahead of the game, Munster had spoken last week on how he wanted to 'stand up' for his side in the decider and put on a big performance. '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.
The Australian
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Australian
NRL 2025: Harry Grant pays tribute to mourning Cameron Munster
Maroons hooker Harry Grant says the best way for the team to support Cameron Munster is 'with our performance and preparation' as the Queensland camp rallies around the skipper after his father died last week. The champion five-eighth is spending time with his family as they grieve Steven Munster's death, with the Storm star set to fly to Sydney to rejoin his teammates ahead of the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night. 'It is a tough time for Cam, his immediate family, extended family and everyone in camp,' Grant said. 'But I think the best way we can support him is throwing our arms around him, and ultimately the best way we can support him right now is with our performance and with our preparation. 'It hits everyone hard. You don't know what's around the corner, so you've got to be nice and present and take in the moments that you have. Maroons teammates have paid tribute to Cameron Munster's father Steven after he died last week. Picture: Instagram 'It's a beautiful family and I had plenty of moments with the family over the years. What we can control is our performance, and that's the best way to pay our respects to the family.' No one could have begrudged Munster if he'd chosen not to play in Sydney given what had happened, but the Maroons skipper has made it clear he wants to play as his side looks to win back the shield. 'When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to the whole of his family, and Steve would love to see him out there in the Maroon captaining his state,' Grant said. 'I think it's very brave the way he's handling the situation, but we have to respect the way he's handling it and respect the way he's doing things and give him the time and space to flick the mind back to the Queensland Maroons and Origin. 'It's a show of character to Cameron but also his family. We have to respect what he's going through, but we know he wants to lace the boots up and wear the Maroon and make his family proud.' Munster is expected to play in the Origin decider after a brilliant performance in Perth. Picture:Queensland will have their captain's run in Sydney on Tuesday, with Reece Walsh set to come into the side if Munster is unable to play. But Grant said he wasn't focusing on contingency plans ahead of the series decider. 'There are plenty of possibilities you could go through, but you could be wasting energy thinking about that,' he said. 'Putting that in place, the coaches will have their understanding and they'll have those conversations. But as a playing group, we don't need to put our heads there.'
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Make his family proud': Maroons vow to honour Munster family, Cameron expected to return for Origin decider
Maroons hooker Harry Grant says the best way for the team to support Cameron Munster is 'with our performance and preparation' as the Queensland camp rallies around the skipper after his father died last week. The champion five-eighth is spending time with his family as they grieve Steven Munster's death, with the Storm star set to fly to Sydney to rejoin his teammates ahead of the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night. 'It is a tough time for Cam, his immediate family, extended family and everyone in camp,' Grant said. 'But I think the best way we can support him is throwing our arms around him, and ultimately the best way we can support him right now is with our performance and with our preparation. 'It hits everyone hard. You don't know what's around the corner, so you've got to be nice and present and take in the moments that you have. 'It's a beautiful family and I had plenty of moments with the family over the years. What we can control is our performance, and that's the best way to pay our respects to the family.' No one could have begrudged Munster if he'd chosen not to play in Sydney given what had happened, but the Maroons skipper has made it clear he wants to play as his side looks to win back the shield. 'When you think about it, Cameron Munster captaining Queensland brings so much pride to the whole of his family, and Steve would love to see him out there in the Maroon captaining his state,' Grant said. 'I think it's very brave the way he's handling the situation, but we have to respect the way he's handling it and respect the way he's doing things and give him the time and space to flick the mind back to the Queensland Maroons and Origin. 'It's a show of character to Cameron but also his family. We have to respect what he's going through, but we know he wants to lace the boots up and wear the Maroon and make his family proud.' Queensland will have their captain's run in Sydney on Tuesday, with Reece Walsh set to come into the side if Munster is unable to play. But Grant said he wasn't focusing on contingency plans ahead of the series decider. 'There are plenty of possibilities you could go through, but you could be wasting energy thinking about that,' he said. 'Putting that in place, the coaches will have their understanding and they'll have those conversations. But as a playing group, we don't need to put our heads there.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
New South Wales issue touching gesture to Cameron Munster - as Queensland skipper mourns the tragic passing of his father days out from State of Origin III
New South Wales have issued a touching message to Cameron Munster and his family following the tragic news that the Queensland captain's father, Steven, had sadly passed away. Munster left the Maroon's camp on Sunday to be with his family but has made the brave decision to honour his dad and lead his team out in Wednesday's State of Origin III decider at the Accor Stadium. After Queensland coach Billy Slater issued a statement to members of the media on Sunday to announce the news, New South Wales also sent their condolences to the Munster family. 'New South Wales Rugby League and the NSW Blues are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Queensland captain Cameron Munster's father Steve,' a statement published on X read. 'We would like to send out condolences to Cameron and his family during this difficult time.' New South Wales issued a touching statement on Sunday, sending their condolences to Munster and his family Steven Munster was one of his son's biggest supporters and had travelled up and down the country, alongside his partner Debbie, to watch Cameron play footy. The Maroons had spoken to Munster to tell him he could sit out the match, but the Queensland captain has made the inspiring decision to play on Wednesday night. 'Unfortunately, we woke to the sad news of the passing of Cameron Munster's father Steven Munster overnight. Cam will exit camp to be with his family before rejoining his team for the game on Wednesday,' Slater said, while surrounded by his Maroons players. '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 club team, Melbourne Storm, have also issued a tribute to his late father, Steven. 'Melbourne Storm wishes to offer its deepest condolences to the Munster family following the passing of Cameron's father Steve overnight,' the club wrote in a statement on Sunday. '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.' After suffering defeat in State of Origin I, Munster took the captaincy and stood out for the Maroons with a man-of-the-match performance. The 30-year-old showcased his brilliance, making 21 tackles and amassing 160m with the ball in hand. Prior to this week's State of Origin decider, Munster told reporters last week that he was going to 'stand up' again for the match and deliver a big performance to get the victory. '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. '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. 'I know they're a good quality outfit and we're a good quality outfit too. We keep speaking about bringing our best game and we brought it for the first 40 minutes (in Perth) but it's going to take a whole 80-minute performance in Sydney.'
