NRL 2022: Cameron Munster stars as Melbourne Storm defeat Canberra Raiders in Wagga Wagga
Cameron Munster showed why the Dolphins are willing to open the cheque book to secure him after producing a masterclass in the Storm’s big win against the Raiders.
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A “super-fit” Cameron Munster never stopped challenging the line in Wagga Wagga reminding all his suitors of his value, in a 30-16 win for his Melbourne Storm over Canberra on Saturday.
After it was reported this week that the 27-year-old five-eighth may be facing a significant pay cut of $400,000-a-year, and the Dolphins circling with seven-figure sums, Munster broke six tackles and ran 160 metres, only Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ran more with 184.
His line break midway through the first half, finished with a polished pass to put fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen over for his seventh try of the season, showed the class a million-dollar salary perhaps warrants.
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“Munster carves up the Raiders,” Warren Smith described the break in the call on Fox League.
And that he did for the remainder of the match, complementing his halves partner Jahrome Hughes perfectly, who scored two tries and had seven tackle breaks.
“He looks super fit too … looks a lot fitter and leaner this season,” Steve Roach commented as the match neared its end, while recently retired Benji Marshall labelled Munster “the main man” of the Storm’s 14-point win.
“Cameron did a couple of instinctive things that helped us, and did a couple of instinctive things that probably didn’t help us,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy joked. “But he’s one of those players you’d much rather have in your team than in your opposition.
“(He does) a lot more good than not so good.”
But Bellamy did not say any more on where contract negotiations were at post-match.
Munster was at times over-eager with a high tackle in front of his posts giving away a penalty and the Raiders’ an early 2-0 lead, and that pressure on Canberra’s young halfback Brad Schneider continued.
The Storm followed with 18 unanswered points despite some lapses in defence, including 31 missed tackles, keeping the Raiders in the contest, most noticeably when Papenhuyzen left the field with a HIA.
Despite being contracted to the Storm until the end of 2023, the conundrum raised by Andrew Johns during the week between money at a new club and or continued success at Melbourne – with a slight haircut – will remain a talking point if Munster continues to play with such form for Melbourne and the reported offer remains the same.
The Raiders made their third visit to Wagga Wagga since 2019, bringing them no more joy since their last, when they blew a 16-0 half-time lead against Newcastle in 2021. It was the Storm’s fifth straight win over Canberra.
PAPENHUYZEN CONCUSSION SCARE
Bellamy said Papenhuyzen took an important step on Saturday to overcoming concussion concerns which plagued the fullback’s 2021 season.
Papenhuyzen left the field in the first half of Melbourne’s win over Canberra in Wagga Wagga, undergoing a head injury assessment,
It provided a nervy period for the 23-year-old NSW Origin contender until he was passed fit to return. Some friendly fire from Brandon Smith, in attempting to stop the Raiders’ first try, was all it took.
“I think it was a big step for him to go back out there in the second half,” Bellamy said. “(He) needed to do that at some stage. We don’t want him going out there if he is affected or the medical staff say it’s not on.
“But he got the all clear (and) I reckon today would give him a fair bit of confidence.”
The Storm No.1 suffered harrowing side effects from a Tyrell Fuimano tackle last season, with painful headaches and mood swings among those he shared publicly, returning to the field last season more than two months after the hit to the head.
“That HIA, we knew last year how long it took to get his confidence back,” Bellamy said. “(Saturday) the medical team passed him and he then had to get over that last bit of going out.”
The Storm fullback is already in the conversation for a NSW Blues call-up – as he was last season.
His 60 points in the first five games, including 28 against the Bulldogs, is testament to that.
Former teammate and Cronulla star recruit Nicho Hynes, plus Manly’s Dylan Walker, are also in the mix for the all-important utility spot. And with Tom Trbojevic’s fitness under a cloud, having minor knee surgery this week, adds another curve ball.
“He’s done really well all year (so far),” Bellamy said. “(especially since) he rolled his ankle in preseason, probably missed eight weeks of running. We thought he’d be a bit behind in fitness speed and whatever, but that doesn’t seem to be affecting him too much.”
YOUNG LATE WITHDRAWAL
Second-rower Hudson Young was a late omission for the Raiders on the eve of kick-off in Wagga Wagga giving English forward Ryan Sutton his first opportunity of 2022.
Young was withdrawn with a toe injury having not trained all week. Sutton, who is headed to Canterbury next season, made his first appearance since the controversy surrounding his partner Kate Ford’s social media comments implying more than form was involved in his round one omission remarking “(and) I thought the fashion industry was b****y.”
Filling a place in the middle, Sutton registered 68 run metres and 32 tackles.
After receiving some knees to the back, Matt Timoko was ruled out for the second half, adding to the Raiders’ injury woes of Young, Josh Hodgson (ACL), new recruit Jamal Fogarty (knee) and Harley Smith-Shields (ACL).
Venturing to a regional venue for the second week in a row but this at home following Manly’s win in Mudgee, the Raiders struggled to capitalise on several opportunities.
With the likes of Jarrod Croker and exciting 19-year-old fullback Xavier Savage playing reserve grade, a change in the backline and a spark of youth at the back that may be required against the Cowboys on Thursday.
A dismissive Ricky Stuart told the media pinpointed Canberra’s failure to “build pressure” in their third loss from the opening five rounds, leaving them 12th.
Asked about the possibility of Croker playing next week, Stuart indicated he will have to review and “find whether there is a player to improve that performance,” also commending the club legend’s performance in resevre grade, including a win over Mounties as Saturday’s curtain raiser at McDonalds Park.
“He’s going really well, it’s good he’s getting in some full training and games in.”
BUSH NEEDS MORE GAMES
Saturday’s loss to Melbourne, was Canberra’s third visit to the Riverina city in the past four years, and followed visits to Mudgee and Bathurst in previous weeks by NRL teams, with 8133 locals turning up to watch at McDonald’s Park, Wagga Wagga.
And a Raiders’ original himself, Bellamy believes the more the merrier given the state of bush footy.
“I come from a NSW Country town (called Portland) and when I go home I hear from people (I knew) when I lived there about how the game is struggling in the bush. Getting kids to play our game. I’d like to see every club be made each year to take one of their home games to a country area in NSW and Queensland,” he said.
The Raiders extended their partnership with Wagga Wagga City Council this week ensuring the club returns next year.
HAIR COLOUR CHANGE TRIBUTE TO SPECIAL FAN
Nelson Asofa-Solomona made a very special tribute to 14-year-old Bella Tripp, who devastatingly lost her brave battle to Leukemia disease on Friday.
Daughter of Melbourne Storm chairman Matt, passed away aged just 14, Bella found a special place in Nelson and Storm’s players’ hearts, with Asofa-Solomona visiting her in hospital last week.
He changed his hair colour for Saturday’s match to mostly blue with a patch of red to replicate what Bella had decided looked good in her drawing of him.
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