Cameron Munster prepared to make brave decision and play Origin decider just days after tragic death of father

Cameron Munster was in Camp Maroon about to grab a coffee before Queensland’s last big training session before the Origin decider. Then his world came to a grinding halt.

Maroons captain Cameron Munster broke down in tears when he received the shock news his father Steven had died.

Munster was in Camp Maroon on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday morning getting ready to grab a coffee before heading to training for Queensland’s last big training session in the lead-up to Wednesday’s Origin series decider in Sydney.

That’s when his world came to a grinding halt.

Steven Munster died suddenly overnight Saturday in Central Queensland.

Cameron had spoken in recent years about his father’s health battles, including his struggles with diabetes.

But Steven’s death was unexpected and came as a shock to the usually unflappable Munster.

Munster has always been regarded as a larrikin who can find humour in most situations. He rarely takes things too seriously.

Cameron Munster’s world was rocked by tragic news on Sunday morning. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

But this was different and he was rocked immediately, unable to control his emotions as his teammates gathered around him.

Munster and Queensland coach Billy Slater met immediately.

They share a bond that dates back more than decade from their days playing in the NRL together for the Melbourne Storm.

A family man himself, Slater would not have begrudged Munster for wanting to withdraw from Wednesday night’s showdown with the Blues at Accor Stadium.

But Munster made it clear he intended to play and Slater backed his skipper.

Munster, 30, left Camp Maroon immediately to reunite with his shattered family in regional Queensland.

Coach Billy Slater fronts the media to relay the sad news. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The initial plan was for him to spend a couple of days with them before re-joining the Queensland squad in Sydney.

As a shattered Munster left camp, the Maroons boarded the team bus and headed to Sunshine Coast Stadium for their planned training session.

The mood was somewhat sombre compared to usual.

Slater spent the 20-minute bus ride to the stadium grafting a statement to deliver to the media when the team arrived.

The Munster family was happy for him to make the news of Steven’s death public and it would have been difficult to keep under wraps when Munster didn’t appear at training.

In emotional scenes, the entire Maroons squad stood behind Slater, brothers in arms, when he spoke.

“Unfortunately we woke to the sad news of the passing of Cameron Munster’s father Steven Munster overnight,” Slater said on Sunday morning.

“Cam will exit camp to be with his family before re-joining his team for the game on Wednesday.

“On behalf of myself, our footy team and the state of Queensland, we send our thoughts, our love and condolences to Steven Munster’s family and friends, in particular his wife Debbie, his daughter Danielle and of course his son Cameron.

“Thanks.”

The Maroons put their game faces on and trained with 18th man Reece Walsh slotting into five-eighth for the session.

Cameron Munster is expected to play in Origin III. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

At this stage, Slater hasn’t called a potential back-up No.6 into camp and Ezra Mam trained with the Broncos on Monday morning at Red Hill.

Munster is expected to arrive in Sydney on Tuesday before the Maroons hold their captain’s run later that afternoon. However, that could change if he wants to spend more time with family.

It will be one of Origin’s bravest efforts if Munster takes the field, as he intends to, just days after his father’s tragic death.

But Munster has taken his appointment as Queensland captain incredibly seriously, as evidenced by his man-of-the-match performance on debut in Perth three weeks ago.

The Maroons may not have levelled the series if Munster didn’t produce one of the great Origin performances and he may need to do the same to deliver Queensland an epic history-making series victory in Sydney.

If anyone can do that it is Cameron Munster and he would love nothing better than to honour his father with a piece of Origin folklore.

Originally published as Cameron Munster prepared to make brave decision and play Origin decider just days after tragic death of father