Cameron Munster is the prankster the Maroons need to lead them in Origin II

With long-serving Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans facing the axe, Queensland coach Billy Slater could soon be appointing a new captain. David Riccio explains who should be the frontrunner.

From a self-imposed booze ban to the captain of Queensland.

Cameron Munster might just be the larrikin leader that the desperate Maroons need more than ever right now.

With long-serving skipper Daly Cherry-Evans facing the axe from the State of Origin arena and trailing NSW 1-0 nil in the series, Queensland coach Billy Slater could soon be appointing a new captain.

From Slater’s Origin I team, Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Storm captain Harry Grant are also obvious candidates.

Not only are the experienced duo influential among their peers, they are both quality communicators and have proven throughout their representative careers that they are unwavering in handling pressure in big matches.

However, as a power forward responsible for all the heavy lifting, Fa’asuamaleaui requires time off the field to refuel, highlighted by his total of 52-minutes in game one.

Can the captain of Queensland be sitting on the bench for almost half the match?

As for Grant, he produced a career-low performance in the Queensland jersey in Origin I, largely through his own doing and a case of simply, trying too hard.

Others have a view that his best football in Origin has been when he has entered the contest from the interchange bench.

In addition, Grant has played two matches in six weeks, an unnerving build-up that is almost certainly going to require Grant needing a breather in Origin II.

He finished game one with a total of 59-minutes of game time.

It leaves Munster, who is unlikely to ever ditch his prankster personality, may also be exactly the character that a stressed Queensland need to relieve the huge amount of pressure they face in the build-up to a series-defining game two in Perth.

Cameron Munster’s laid-back personality might be just what the Maroons need as they enter the Origin II pressure cooker. Picture: Getty Images

Munster, 30, has the ability to put his teammates on his back, with a ‘come with me boys’ mentality.

Any suggestion he hasn’t earned the opportunity is off the mark.

In Origin I, he equalled Johnathan Thurston as the third most capped five-eighth (18) in Origin history.

Also, if Origin I is anything to go by, where they were trampled by a dominant Blues side, Queensland probably don’t need a figurehead on the field with a loud voice and clever words.

They need a leader by actions, who will go after the Blues single-handedly.

Which every fan knows, Munster has in him.

Originally published as Cameron Munster is the prankster the Maroons need to lead them in Origin II