Blues captain Isaah Yeo pays respects to Cameron Munster after passing of his father before Origin 3

NSW Blues captain Isaah Yeo has put state rivalry aside for a brief moment in a touching act towards Cameron Munster.

NSW Blues captain Isaah Yeo has put state rivalry aside for a brief moment in a touching act towards Cameron Munster.

The Maroons captain was all set to lead his side out for the State of Origin decider in Sydney on Wednesday when over the weekend he received news that his father had sadly passed away at the age of 58.

Speaking to media ahead of Wednesday’s clash, opposing captain Yeo responded to the news of Steven Munster’s passing, putting state rivalry to the side for a brief moment.

“I send my condolences out to the Munster family and Cam. I can’t imagine what they’re going through at the moment,” Yeo said.

“I feel like the NRL, as much as we sometimes hype rivalries and that, there’s some things that supersede that.

“When that is the case, I feel like the NRL community rallies behind the people involved.

“Just on behalf of the playing group and the whole Blues staff and organisation we send our condolences to the Munster family.”

Just days before his death, Munster and wife Debbie had spoken of his hopes to see their son Cameron captain his state to a victory against all odds.

“He’s got to be proud the way he’s turned his life around and for where he’s come from,” Steven said.

Queensland Maroons captain Cameron Munster has lost his father Steven Munster overnight and just before Game 3 of this years State of Origin series. Photo: Instagram.

Dad Steven had said he was looking forward to hopefully seeing his son lift the Origin trophy as captain just days before his death. Photo: Instagram.

Munster is so far still expected to bravely line up and lead his Maroons side out, Maroon coach Billy Slater on Tuesday confirmed Munster would arrive in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon and said people would see a courageous side of his captain.

“We feel for him, we feel for his family. It was a real sad and sombre mood over the last couple of days.

“There was a fair bit of uncertainty when I was with Mun(ster) on Sunday morning when I was sitting in his room, but the one thing he was certain about is he was very certain he was playing on Wednesday night.”

“Cam’s an inspiration, he’s a hero to many people in Queensland. I can only imagine his dad would’ve been his first inspiration and he’s first hero. He’d be hurting right now and that’s why he needs us and he needs his family.”

Munster reportedly broke down in tears around his Queensland teammates when he learned of the news at training.

Although rivals, Munster has close connections to several of the Blues contingent, including Melbourne’s Frank Ponissi and teammate Stefano Utoikamanu, who have set the biff aside in the wake of the news.

“It’s a unique scenario where Blues staff members and Blues players are reaching out to Cameron in the middle of an Origin series,” Daily Telegraph journalist David Riccio said on Triple M.

“This hate against hate series, this state against state, but at the end of the day they’re mates against mates.

“That’s certainly been evident keeping in mind Frank Ponissi, he’s the GM of the Blues team, but also the highly respected GM of football for Melbourne Storm of which he is extremely tight with Cameron Munster.

“At the end of the day they’re all humans and Cam’s going through a really tough time.

“Munster told the team before he left that ‘absolutely I will play’ and it’s now set the scene for what should be and what will be a highly emotional affair for Cameron Munster.”

Munster left Queensland training to be with his family but is expected to return on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

Former Canterbury forward James Graham said tragedy will no doubt bring the Queensland side closer together and can stir them to a resounding victory.

“It’s more important than sport and it certainly put things into perspective,” Graham told Triple M.

“When I’ve been in and around situations not too dissimilar to this, the effect of tragedy on an individual and within the group, it can produce a mental approach to a game which is incredibly different and ignite an emotional response.

“It is just a game, but obviously there’s triggers that go into elements of a performance and I think this unfortunate situation brings this Queensland team even closer together.”

Munster’s Melbourne captain and Queensland teammate said the best way to honour the moment was through their performance on Wednesday. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Should Munster not be available, coach Billy Slater will likely bring in 18th man Reece Walsh who was seen training in the five-eighth role days before the match.

But the 30-year-old, who was man of the match in a resilient Game 2 performance and first game as captain, is likely run out onto Accor Stadium for the emotionally-charged decider.

“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,” Queensland and Melbourne teammate Harry 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 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.”

Yeo also confirmed Payne Haas and Brian To’o, who were under injury clouds for NSW, had trained and would be playing on Wednesday night.

“We always knew going into the game that Payne would be on restricted duties, but he’ll be ready for game time,” he said.

“Unless anything happens between now and then – which I don’t expect it to – we’ll be 1-17.”

Originally published as Blues captain Isaah Yeo pays respects to Cameron Munster after passing of his father before Origin 3