Matty Johns: Cameron Munster not yet a threat to Wally Lewis’s title as the King of Queensland

Cameron Munster may be the talisman of Queensland’s Origin resurgence, but the State still prays at the altar of Wally Lewis, MATTY JOHNS explains why.

Will Cameron Munster step out of King Wally's shadow?

I honestly didn’t mean to offend. When I asked a couple of Queensland mates if it was time to discuss Cameron Munster’s influence on State of Origin, in relation to Wally Lewis, I was shut down before I could even properly finish the sentence.

They love Cameron Munster, but as Queenslanders, they pray at the altar of Wally.

OK, I get it, as a kid who lived through the 80s Wally was more than Rugby League, up North he was more than sport, he represented their identity.

Wally Lewis standing as the King of Origin football was more than what he did on the field: his impact; influence; genius.

State of Origin would not be what it is without his personality.

He led the underdog Maroons with a William Wallace type persona.

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The Wally Lewis statue outside Suncorp Stadium. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

He united a state against what they believed to be decades of Rugby League oppression from the fat cat clubs in Sydney.

You didn’t need to be a Rugby League fan in Queensland to join the cause.

My grandfather was born in Mudgee but moved to Queensland in his early 30s. Forget the fact he a New South Welshman, the moment he crossed the border he became a Maroon’s zealot.

All he spoke about was Wally, yet he wasn’t really a Rugby League fan, he was in his mind a Queenslander, and nothing made you feel more like a Queenslander than loving Wally.

My grandfather was as tight as a fish’s, you know what … can I say aXXhole?

He used to send us $5 for Christmas every year, until my sister Kate was born, and he told my mum Gayle, “The $5 thing would have to stop because it’s getting out of hand.”

Yet after one Origin Series win, to celebrate, he sent us two Queensland jerseys. For him, the look of disgust on our faces was worth any price.

In 1988 I attended the World Expo in Brisbane as a part of a school excursion. While stumbling around, bored with my mates, trying to work out who looked closest to eighteen, to buy a couple of sneaky beers, we heard a huge commotion, as if a riot was kicking off.

Wally Lewis is the undisputed king of the Maroons.

Cameron Munster was a dominant presence in Queensland’s Origin I victory. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

We turned to see Wally and his family trying to work their way through a large group who were kneeling in front, bowing to their Emperor.

For we New South Welshmen, our polar opposite attitude to Wally never allowed me to appreciate his genius.

However a surreal moment in the early 90s changed that.

It was Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Seagulls, where Wally was the Captain/Coach.

That day I’d played under 21’s, came on at half-time in the Reserve Grade game and was asked to warm the bench for the Firsts.

The coaches thought it was a good idea for me to watch King Wally up close.

It was the very end of his amazing career, and his shuffle style running hadn’t changed, but it was definitely a slower style shuffle.

We were ahead by four with not long left on the clock, and given that I was obviously not going to get a run, I was discreetly making my way to the showers to prepare for the night out, when suddenly I received the call. I turned to see five-eighth, Michael Hagan leaving the field with an arm injury. No time to warm up, I threw off my tracksuit and ran onto the field, where the two packs were forming a scrum.

Cameron Munster was mobbed by Maroons fans after Queensland’s win in Origin I at Accor Stadium. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

As I took my place in the defensive line, one out from the scrum, I looked opposite and there he was, the Emperor himself …. Sweet Jesus … well almost.

Bigger than I thought he was, and by the look on his face, with his team staring at another defeat, in no mood for an autograph.

In that set, the Gold Coast made their way upfield, and on the last play just over halfway, Wally calls for the football and shapes for one of his famous kicks, feigns and slips past two of our players, looking to cut down his time. He then steps the next player, shrugs off another, dummies, fends, runs around our fullback Robbie O’Davis and scores under the posts.

Gold Coast win, “Long Live the Kin.,’ The legend is real.

So, OK, it’s probably premature, or maybe even disrespectful to compare any player to Wally Lewis, even if it is Cameron Munster.

But if Munster is still doing what he’s doing in two or three years’ time, surely we can at least have a civilised discussion.

AND ANOTHER THING

It’s crucial for the Melbourne Storm to resign Munster.

It appears money isn’t the major sticking point, it’s the retirement of Craig Bellamy which looks set to happen at the conclusion of season 2023.

The Storm need to work out Bellamy’s successor, and it’s my opinion it must be Billy Slater.

I’ve little doubt that a Slater succession plan will be enough for Munster to stay.

Originally published as Matty Johns: Cameron Munster not yet a threat to Wally Lewis’s title as the King of Queensland