Watch: Cameron Munster will lead Maroons in State of Origin decider after landing in Sydney

Supported by his family, Cameron Munster led the Queensland’s captain’s run in Sydney as the Maroons skipper prepares for one of the most inspirational moments in State of Origin history. WATCH the footage.

Cameron Munster leads the Maroons out ahead of their captain’s run on Accor Stadium. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

A “struggling” Cameron Munster will lead Queensland into Wednesday’s Origin decider following the shock death of his father.

Steven Munster died suddenly in Central Queensland at the weekend, sending shockwaves through Camp Maroon in the lead-up to the Origin series finale.

Cameron was given a leave pass from camp to be with his devastated family and indicated to Queensland coach Billy Slater he was planning to play in the decider at Accor Stadium.

Now that decision has been confirmed after Munster made his way to Sydney on Tuesday and led Queensland out for their final captain’s run.

Munster’s mother Debbie and his wife Bianca, along with their three children, were sitting in the Accor grandstand for the Maroons’ final session.

Munster appeared to be energetic despite the family tragedy as he prepared for his second game as Queensland’s captain and first shot at leading the Maroons to a series win.

“Naturally he’s been pretty upset over the last couple of days, but he’s been where he’s needed to be with his mum and his sister. He’s spent some time with them,” Slater said.

“They are tragic circumstances and it was a real sad and sombre mood over the last couple of days. I’m sure the lads are looking forward to seeing him and getting around him as well.

“There was a fair bit of uncertainty with ‘Mun’ on Sunday morning when I was sitting in his room but the one thing he was certain about is that he was playing on Wednesday night.

“That’s one thing that he was very firm with. He didn’t have a lot of answers for a lot of other things, but he gave that one to me pretty straight.

“Once he said ‘I’ll be playing Wednesday night’ that was it for me.

Cameron Munster will lead the Maroons in the decider.

“There’s no textbook for this sort of stuff. His priority was to be with his family. Now he wants to come back into camp and get ready for a State of Origin game.

“It’s a huge game and he wants to be a part of that.”

Munster was man-of-the-match in his captaincy debut, leading Queensland to a Game Two win in Perth to level the series.

He could now produce another piece of Origin folklore by piloting the Maroons to a memorable series victory against the odds.

Slater said he could empathise with Munster following the death of his father Ron Slater earlier this year.

“I haven’t dealt with this as a coach, but I’ve dealt with it as a person,” he said.

“I lost my father in January, so I know what it’s like, and Cam’s an inspiration for many people.

“He’s a hero to many people in Queensland, and I can only imagine his dad would have been his first inspiration and his first hero.

“He’d be hurting right now and that’s why he needs us and he needs his family and you know the one thing about Cam is he’s never let anyone down in the past and I don’t expect that in the future.”

Munster broke down in tears when he learned of his father’s death on Sunday morning in Camp Maroon.

His manager, Braith Anasta, said it had been a challenging period for the Maroons skipper.

“It’s been a tough few days for Cam,” said Fox League’s NRL 360 host.

Cameron Munster leads his side onto the Accor Stadium pitch. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Cameron Munster warms up. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I’m really feeling for him, his mum and family with the sudden passing of his dad.

“I know he’s made his dad very proud over the years and his dad got a lot of joy out of watching him play and seeing him play that game as captain for Queensland.

“As hard as it is for Cam, and he’s struggling a bit at the moment, hopefully he can get out there on Wednesday night and make his dad proud yet again.”

The Maroons have rallied around Munster and are set to wear black armbands when they take the field against the Blues.

Originally published as Watch: Cameron Munster will lead Maroons in State of Origin decider after landing in Sydney