Cameron Munster rejects Wayne Bennett in devastating blow

Storm superstar has reportedly given Wayne Bennett the bad news the coach was dreading in another sucker punch for the Dolphins.

Cameron Munster. Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images.

Wayne Bennett has lost yet another contract war with Cameron Munster reportedly agreeing to remain with the Melbourne Storm next year.

The Dolphins coach has been left to fight for the crumbs that have fallen off the table as Munter on Saturday became the latest star to knock an offer back.

Munster was already contracted through to the end of the 2023 season, but public comments from Bennett saw the situation explode.

The veteran coach angered the Storm in April with a brazen attempt to break league rules and reach out to Munster before the November 1 cut off point.

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The Storm filed a formal complaint to the NRL at the time and it was replayed again on Friday when the Storm made a second complaint to the league.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Storm chief executive Justin Rodski went to the NRL regarding a radio appearance from the Dolphins super coach.

Following the Storm’s shock loss to Manly, Bennett made an appearance on SEN on Friday morning and his comments regarding Munster prompted the Storm to reach out to NRL powerbrokers.

“He’s part of the long-term view, absolutely he is,” Bennett said.

Cameron Munster. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“If we don’t get him in 2023, which we believe we will, certainly 2024 is on the table for us and hopefully it’s on the table for him.

“We’ve been very deliberate, we just haven’t wasted our money on guys we don’t think are going to be a good fit for our club.”

Despite those comments Munster has now decided to play with the Storm next season.

His future beyond remains uncertain.

Munster was said to have been offered a contract extension with Melbourne beyond 2023, but those offers have also been rejected.

Wayne Bennett hasn’t even flinched. Photo Steve Pohlner.

Munster is the final piece in the Storm’s puzzle after the club recently locked in Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grand and Jahrome Hughes on long term deals.

For the Dolphins recruitment team, it is still a largely blank canvas.

Ryan Matterson last month agreed to a new contract extension with Parramatta — another star slipping through the Dolphins’ fingers.

The NSW State of Origin star was one of Bennett’s highest profile targets left after missing out on a stack of star players, including Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga.

The Dolphins’ biggest signings so far have been Maroons forwards Jarrod Wallace, Felise Kaufusi as well as Titans fullback Jamayne Isaako, Panthers utility Sean O’Sullivan, and Queensland speedster Edrick Lee.