‘Bone’s sticking out’: Cameron Munster’s horror injury

Cameron Munster has performed the NRL’s first feat of superhuman strength for the season after suffering a horror injury.

Cameron Munster played through the pain. Photo: Getty Images and Fox League

Cameron Munster has helped guide the Melbourne Storm to a 16-12 golden point win over the Parramatta Eels, opening the NRL season with a bang.

But the fiery five-eighth has done it with a horror injury, confirming he had a compound dislocation or fracture in his right ring finger.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

But despite the horror injury, Munster returned to the field in the second half, playing on with his finger taped up, despite blood seemingly pouring from the wound.

Before knowing he’d come back, Greg Alexander told Fox League the worry would be infection.

“A compound fracture means the bone has broken the skin and the biggest concern for Cameron Munster is infection,” Alexander said. “I can’t see the doctors allowing him back on the field.”

Munster appeared to be in trouble. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

When the news came through he would play, Alexander said: “Once the skin is broken, they see that as a problem. But he’s a tough boy Cameron Munster.”

Despite suffering the ugly injury, Munster was still able to set up the Storm’s second try to make it 12-all, when he dummied to himself and put Young Tonumaipea to score out wide in the 62nd minute.

“That is Munster magic, all class, he bamboozles all the Parramatta defenders,” Ennis said of the play.

What fracture?

Munster's magic fingers leads to Melbourne's second try!

📺 Watch #NRLEelsStorm on
Ch. 502 or stream on Kayo:https://t.co/B1ijnGY1g8
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/9fgcVEO3we
🔢 MATCH CENTRE pic.twitter.com/jo2Rf7j6Tx

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 2, 2023

Although he couldn’t nail a field goal, missing an attempt to the left in regular time, hooker Harry Grant proved to be the hero, burrowing over as the Eels looked to defend the one-pointer.

Speaking on Channel 9 after the game, Munster didn’t see it as a big issue, despite confirming the compound dislocation.

“I’ll have a bit of cement and I’ll be right,” he laughed on Channel 9.

However, you’d have to assume there’d be some assessment on his fitness for next week.

Munster told ABC “The bone is still sticking out. It’s not ideal.”

SMH’s Christian Nicolussi reported that before kick off to golden point, referee Ashley Klein asked how his finger was and Munster replied “f**ked”.

Cameron Munster played through the pain. Photo: Getty Images and Fox League

In the press conference, coach Craig Bellamy said there was plenty of confusion about the severity of the injury.

He said at first the sideline staff believed they could tape it up and

“He had a really good first stint before he came off,” Bellamy said. “I think he broke a bone and it’s come out of the skin so he’ll need an operation.

“Pretty brave, he had an injection and they taped it up and he finished the game for us.

“There was a bit of confusion there about how bad it was but he’s obviously got back on there and shown a lot of ticker to get back out there.”

Fans were blown away by Munster finishing the match.

Munster what a warrior #NRLEelsStorm

— Ross Edwards (@Ross_Edwardz) March 2, 2023

Good to see Munster back out there, tough to tackle with one hand though #NRLEelsStorm

— Rob Sutherland (@rob_sutherland3) March 2, 2023

The news didn’t get any better for the Storm after Xavier Coates left the match midway through the second half seemingly suffering a shoulder injury.

Originally published as ‘Bone’s sticking out’: Cameron Munster’s horror injury