Kevin Walters backs Maroons X-factor Cameron Munster to terrorise Blues
AS the fierce State of Origin foes faced off for the first time, Queensland coach Kevin Walters was prepared to turn up the heat on rebuilt NSW.
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QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters has backed Cameron Munster to replicate his magical Origin debut and believes the classy five-eighth can be the Maroons’ X-factor in the series opener this Wednesday night.
The fierce Origin foes faced off for the first time on Monday morning with Queensland duo Walters and skipper Greg Inglis joining NSW coach Brad Fittler and Blues captain Boyd Cordner at a press conference at the MCG.
Amid the largely cautious predictions and light-hearted banter, there were moments of candid confessions, with Fittler admitting there are “no excuses” for a NSW team laced with 11 debutants.
But Walters is prepared to turn up the heat on the rebuilt Blues, declaring Munster can terrorise NSW again after his superb Origin debut in Queensland’s 22-6 victory in the Suncorp decider last year.
Munster amassed 136 metres, 18 tackles, five tackle-busts, two offloads, one line-break and two try-assists to propel Queensland to their 11th series win in 12 years and Walters says he can strike again.
“Being a realist, if I see someone do something like that, there is every chance for Cameron to do that again,” Walters said.
“In terms of Origin and NRL games, that’s what you want from your players, you want your players to be consistent. We expect Cameron back to that level and he has prepared well. He is a ball runner.
“If he can get to that level again, there will be a lot of happy Queenslanders.”
Walters confirmed his injured trio of Billy Slater (hamstring), Josh McGuire (ankle) and Ben Hunt (thigh) have got the green light from medicos to play in Origin I.
Meanwhile, Fittler admits he cannot guarantee his 11 new faces will handle the pressure, but insists rookie halfback Nathan Cleary can be an Origin player for the ages.
Asked if Cleary can be an Origin great, Fittler said: “For sure. He hasn’t played Origin yet but he is so cool. He made 41 tackles against Melbourne in his NRL debut so he has the toughness.”
NSW skipper Boyd Cordner said Cleary can match the deeds of Maroons greats Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
“He is very cool,” he said.
“I haven’t had much to do with Nathan, he shocks you straight away how mature he is, he has all the qualities to be a great Origin player like Cooper, JT and Cam Smith.
“He had the game plan hands down after one session. I can’t wait to see how he goes.”
Originally published as Kevin Walters backs Maroons X-factor Cameron Munster to terrorise Blues