Queensland star officially out, Maroons turn to debutant saviour

Queensland has announced they’ve lost their best player for State of Origin Game 3. They are turning to a debutant to save them.

Cameron Munster is out. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Queensland has announced Cameron Munster is out of State of Origin Game 3.

The Maroons’ worst fears were realised on Saturday morning when the Melbourne Storm playmaker returned a positive PCR test.

Munster and winger Murray Taulagi both returned positive results after also returning positive RAT results on Friday.

Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden and Broncos winger Corey Oates were called back into team camp on Friday and it has now been confirmed they will be in the team for the series decider at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.

The pair were isolated from teammates on Friday and ever other member of the team returned a negative PCR test on Friday.

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It is a hammer blow for Queensland. Munster was their best player in Game 1 and has always stepped up with heroic performances when it matters in the Origin arena.

The QRL released a statement on Friday night.

“Queensland Maroons players Cameron Munster and Murray Taulagi returned positive Rapid Antigen Tests today,” the statement read.

“Both players have received PCR swabs to confirm whether they have COVID-19. They are isolating from the group while results from these swabs are pending.

“All other players have returned negative RAT tests.

“The Maroons are following all protocols as advised by the NRL.

“Corey Oates will join the Maroons squad tonight.”

Speaking on Nine News, Darren Lockyer said it may not be fatal but it was a huge blow for the Maroons.

“I still think they can (win), huge news I’m just hearing myself,” Lockyer said.

“I’m just trying to think who replaces Cameron Munster if he can’t play, I think probably Tom Dearden who has been in camp for the past two games would be the likely replacement there.”

Munster would be a huge loss. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images

The Maroons also have Roosters half Sam Walker in camp.

Munster was battling injury leading into the match having copped a shoulder injury over a controversial moment when Stephen Crichton hit the five-eighth early in the second half.

Vision of the incident surfaced on social media on Monday and appears to show Crichton drive his shoulder into Munster as he was stood up in a tackle.

“I pulled up a little bit sore 45 minutes into the game,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

“I got a shoulder from (Stephen) Crichton about five minutes into the second half. I tried my best but wasn’t good enough.

“I’ll be making sure I do everything I can to be right for Game Three. Hopefully I can be.

“We’ll get a scan tomorrow and go from there.”

However, the Maroons said they had “no concerns” after he sat out last round’s match for the Storm.

It’s tough news for Taulagi as well, who was set to play his second Origin match after debuting in Origin game II in Perth.

But it’s Munster who is the biggest blow.

Some fans were quick to vent on social media.

Nine News QLD’s Luike Bradnam wrote: “Turns out Covid is a NSW supporter. Anyone but Munster,” and: “To put this context for you NSW supporters as to how devastating the Munster news is for us QLDs this would be like you hearing Ashley Klein is out of the decider.”

Moreton MP Graham Perrett tweeted: “Congratulations New South Wales. It was a wonderful series.”

It’s a big blow for Murray Taulagi. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

On Fox League, Maroons great Cooper Cronk called it a “curveball”.

“That’s a huge rock to Billy Slater’s team,” Cronk added.

“(Munster) was great in game one, arguably in the form of his career, to have him not available — yet to be confirmed — and Murray Taulagi to make his second appearance at Origin level too.”

Cronk said Dearden, Walker and Hunt were all options.

New Zealand great Benji Marshall said the test “changes the game” due to Munster’s effect on his club team Melbourne, who has lost four of seven games during the Origin period.

“I think he’s the X-factor guy, I think he brings a lot of energy, and to me, his performances have been the best for Queensland,” Marshall said.

“I think he’s a massive loss. I know they do have a guy like Ben Hunt and guys like Tom Dearden and that. But I think the make up of the side they had had what it takes to beat NSW in this game. Without Munster, I think it puts a bit of doubt in it.”