Cameron Munster replaces Daly Cherry-Evans as Qld captain for State of Origin II

There are two club captains in the Queensland State of Origin side, but coach Billy Slater looked elsewhere for his new skipper.

An emotional Cameron Munster says he’s “grown up a lot” after jumping 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 conceded that people would have “laughed in your face” if they raised the idea of him captaining his state “five or 10 years ago” and that he’d made some “poor choices” off the field early in his career.

But his undying pursuit of success for both his club, state and country, as well as becoming a husband and father, had made him a changed man ready to take up the “honour” of leading the Maroons.

“I’m pretty emotional,” he said on Tuesday.

Cameron Munster is the new Queensland captain. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“If you asked me that question (about the captaincy) five or 10 years ago, everyone would have laughed in your face.

“I’ve developed into a leadership role over the last three or four years. I have grown up a bit.

“My three kids and my wife helped me turn that corner and I’ve grown a little bit more.

“Having kids probably made me have to grow up a little bit more and want to be a role model, not only for my kids but kids in the community in Queensland.

“Before that I was just worried about myself and not worried about other things and probably the consequences that were going to come with myself and my name.

Cameron Munster talks to media in Gympie on Tuesday after being named Queensland’s new captain. Picture Lachie Millard

“It’s terrible circumstances with ‘Chez’ (Cherry-Evans being dropped), I am close mates with him, but someone had to take the role and I’m pretty excited to lead these boys out on Wednesday night.”

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.

Amid some criticism after naming controversial Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam in his squad, Slater picked him as 18th man.

Originally published as Cameron Munster replaces Daly Cherry-Evans as Qld captain for State of Origin II