NSW star’s act of sheer class we all missed in emotional Origin decider

A message written on a NSW star’s arm said it all as grieving Queensland captain Cameron Munster admitted he was in “awe” of his opponents.

Laurie Daley and his NSW team have shown their class after Wednesday night’s emotional State of Origin series decider in Sydney.

An act by red-hot winger Brian To’o said it all as the Blues went out of their way to show support for enemy captain Cameron Munster — before, during and after the game, where Queensland completed a historic series comeback.

Munster fell to his knees before being mobbed by teammates after the final siren sounded at Accor Stadium and he let the emotions pour out.

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Munster fought back tears during the post-game ceremonies after leading his team to victory just days after his father died.

The Melbourne Storm playmaker was in camp with his Maroons teammates when his father Steven died on Saturday night.

Munster only rejoined the team for the captain’s run on Tuesday after spending time with his family grieving.

A social media post shared by To’o before the game showed there were plenty of people in the Blues’ dressing room feeling for their opposition captain.

To’o carried a written tribute to Steven on his wrist during the game.

His photo showed he had written “Steven” on the strapping wrapped around his wrist, and also showed a cross and love heart symbols.

Brian To'o's classy message. Photo: Instagram.

It’s one of many reasons Munster thanked his opponents for their support.

“Yeah look, it’s a tough one,” Munster said.

“Like a high of emotions. I think when someone loses someone, you forget about it sometimes, but then it brings back memories and obviously, I just want to say thank you to all the rugby league community. They’ve been outstanding.

“I’ve had so much support and text messages from not only obviously rugby league, but also the NSW team, so just shows what kind of character those guys are and yeah, just forever grateful.

“And rugby league and that I think family is more important than anything and a lot of people showed that the last couple of days and really got behind me, so I want to say thank you to all those people and thanks for coming out tonight.”

Cameron Munster embraces his mother Deborah after the Maroons secured State of Origin victory. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Laurie Daley, Blues head coach and Maroons Captain Cameron Munster. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Munster was stoic but became emotional talking to his wife and kids.

“Thank you to my mum, my sister, my partner Bianca and the kids,” Munster said.

“I just want to say thank you for getting behind me this weekend. I know it’s been a tough time, but yeah, I guess at the end of the day, that’s life.

“And I just want to appreciate everyone that’s been around me and make this week so special. And yeah, we’ll enjoy it tonight and can’t wait to obviously go next year and hopefully see what we can do. But thank you guys. Have a good night.”

Earlier Munster paid tribute to the Blues for reaching out to him in a tough week.

“I’d just like to thank the NSW Blues, Isaah (Yeo), Nathan (Cleary), Laurie Daley and all the coaching staff and all the players,” Munster said.

“I just want to say I really appreciate some of you reaching out to me during the week. Just shows how good rugby league is.

“Family’s bigger than the sport and yeah, I just want to say thank you for rallying behind me. It doesn’t go unnoticed. And yeah, testament to all you guys as characters, I’m in awe of you. I’m in awe of all you guys and you’ll be back bigger, better next year.

“Peter V’landys, Andrew Abdo just thanks for the spectacle, it’s been a great series.

“To obviously the Queensland boys and the coaching staff. I love youse, I just want to say thanks for making it a great week.

“To NSW fans also, especially to Queensland fans back home and (here) tonight, thanks for coming tonight. It’s always a great series, forever grateful.”

Munster didn’t think the Maroons had it won until the final whistle.

“I wouldn’t say we had the game in the bag,” Munster said.

“You know, guys like Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Jarome Luai with the ball in hand, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton. You just know when they got the ball they can create anything.

“So look, in those last five minutes, I’ve seen them dominate grand finals, they’ve come back from big losses. And yeah they did it in game two.

“And look we went away a little bit at the (end). We made it work. You know the saying goes you work hard you get lucky, so it felt like our group worked really hard tonight. And yeah we’ve got those 5050s.”

Billy Slater embraces Cameron Munster as the emotion came pouring out. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Munster wrote himself a little bit of history by becoming the fourth Queenslander to win his first series as captain, joining Darren Lockyer, Trevor Gillmeister and Cameron Smith.

Andrew Johns paid tribute to Munster’s heroic performance.

“Well, Queensland supporters, your skipper, he’s played one for the ages,” Johns said.

“The passing of his father, Steven, the courage to play but also wanting to play. He’s inspired his teammates they’ve lifted. They’ve no doubt they’ve lifted for the Munster family.

“Cameron Munster knew the importance of captaining Queensland. It’s been some performance.”

Cameron Smith also paid tribute to Munster.

“Just look at those pictures on screen, Cam Munster, been a tough three or four days

for him and his family,” Smith said.

“Being able to put all that aside. Such tragic circumstances. You see Dylan Edwards there just going up to console him.

“All the NSW players. It’s great to see. They battle it out for 80 minutes, but at the end of the day, we’re all mates.”

— with foxsports.com.au

Originally published as NSW star’s act of sheer class we all missed in emotional Origin decider