State of Origin game one: Cameron Munster wants to emulate Wally Lewis for Maroons
Cameron Munster has declared he wants to “own Origin” in the ilk of former Maroons greats as he looks to lead Queensland to a boilover in game one.
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Cameron Munster has put the Blues on notice by declaring he wants to “own” State of Origin and dominate for Queensland in the vein of Maroons playmaking legends Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer.
The injury-ravaged Maroons are banking on the instinctive big-game brilliance of Munster to spearhead a Queensland backs-to-the-wall boilover in the Origin series opener on Wednesday night at Adelaide Oval.
Munster has played four grand finals, won two premierships and was a squad member of Australia‘s 2017 World Cup win, but the Queensland pivot has yet to be a fully-fledged member of a series-winning Maroons outfit.
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The last time Queensland won a series in 2017, Munster was an Origin novice, playing just one game in that series, albeit a sublime debut as he helped the Maroons to a 22-6 victory in the decider at Suncorp Stadium.
But now, in his eighth game as one of the most important players in the Queensland set-up, Munster is motivated by orchestrating a new era of Origin dominance for the Maroons.
The Rockhampton product remains in awe of the greatness of ‘The King’ Lewis and Lockyer in the Queensland No. 6 jumper and at 26, Munster says the time is right to stamp his mark on the Origin arena.
“For sure, my career has gone very quick, so I just need to make sure I own Origin,” Munster said.
“I’ve been in the NRL for seven years now and I want to make the most of my time around the game.
“I’ve never won a series over three games, so I’m really excited this time and there wouldn’t be anything better than winning this Origin series with the crop of young players we have in our team.
“People think we can‘t win without the Big Three (retired Queensland legends Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater).
“I want to be able to say I won an Origin series without those guys, who are three of the best players to ever play in those positions.”
Underlining Munster’s passion for the Queensland jumper, he is refusing to conveniently withdraw from the series due to injury and will carry an ongoing knee problem into Game One in South Australia.
Munster required three needles to get through last Sunday week‘s grand final against the Panthers, but the classy playmaker is adamant the injury, which has plagued him for five months, will not stop him attacking the NSW line.
“You never know when it’s your last game for Queensland. I guess when you are getting picked you take it with both hands,” he said.
“Even if I was 50 or 60 per cent I’d still want to come into camp and train with the boys, even if I wasn’t playing. Being around the group is second to none.
“I will play my own running game. Origin is a grinding game and a bit of a mental game as well. There aren’t many stoppages now and that’s where elusive players or guys that have sharp feet can break a game wide open.
“Hopefully on Wednesday night I can do that.”
Queensland coach Wayne Bennett believes Munster is the side‘s X-factor and lauded his toughness.
“I think very highly of him as a player and he has been great to have in camp here,” he said.
“He was one guy who reminded me how important it is to play for Queensland.
“He had all the excuses in the world not to come here, I kept getting feedback that he wouldn’t make himself available, but I never had that conversation with him.
“He turned up and is as happy as anyone to be here. We are happy to have him so it shows to everyone what it means for Cameron to play Origin and play for the state.”