‘Never felt like this’: Billy, Munster shares details of shattering Maroons camp moment

Maroons coach Billy Slater has detailed a moment of horror from within Queensland camp and how it inspired his team to victory.

Maroons coach Billy Slater has detailed the emotional moment he shared with Cameron Munster immediately after the Maroons skipper learned the tragic news of his father’s sudden passing.

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Slater said Munster’s effort to lead the Maroons onto Accor Stadium and help deliver a series win, just three days after the passing of his father Steven, was one of the most “courageous and brave” things he’s seen.

The Maroons coach said that Munster immediately committed to playing soon after receiving the devastating phone call.

“I don’t like ranking things but I’ve never felt like this,” Slater said.

“The bloke to my left (Munster), that’s as courageous and brave as I’ve ever seen.

“I lost my dad in January, I know what it’s like, I know what it feels like. Our dads are our heroes.

“I don’t know how he did it, but within 10 minutes of sitting with him in his room on Sunday morning he looked at me and said ‘Bill, I’m playing’. I know his dad would have wanted him to and boy that is one proud dad up there tonight’.”

Munster and Slater were captured in an emotional embrace on the field following Queensland’s 24-12 win, with Maroons teammates also showing their support in touching scenes.

As he didn’t want to disrupt the team’s preparation, Munster admitted he considered staying in camp, but his coach urged him otherwise.

Josh Papalii, Billy Slater and Cam Munster

“I rang Bill straight away. When I told him he dropped everything and came to my room and Bill spoke about how he lost his old man in January.

“I was in camp the whole week. I knew the preparation. It would have been a tough job for Bill to put someone in and understand the way we wanted to play.

“It was an easy decision to me. Queensland is everything to me... It was an easy decision for me. I never would have turned this decision down.

“I had a moment there with Bill and had a moment with him on Sunday. He knows what I’m going through.

“He gave me the opportunity to go home first. Family’s first. I’ll be forever grateful for that.

“I was leaning towards not (going home) but Bill told me I needed to go home and I’m so grateful that he did.

“It’s not ideal preparation wise but the way the team got up for me, I’ll be sitting down when I’m 80 years of age remembering 2025.”

Billy Slater, Maroons head coach celebrates winning with captain Cameron Munster after game three of the Men's State Of Origin series between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium on July 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Munster also credited his teammates, singling out a couple of unsung heroes.

“I have so much trust in this team and so much love,” he said.

“You look at guys like Reuben Cotter and Kurt Capewell. So many people were bagging our back rowers in the media saying they’re not back rowers and they miss tackles.

“A couple of times Reuben put his body on the line, same with Kurt.

“We just grow an extra leg when we where this jersey.

“They talk about the Neville Nobodies in 1995, but no one in the journo world gave us a chance. It’d be interesting to say what you’re going to do tomorrow.”

For Slater, it’s his third series win in four years at the helm.

After a hiccup last year and a series opening loss, Slater and the Maroons were feeling the pressure.

The way the Maroons were able to scrap and claw back to win this series though is nothing short of impressive.

Given everything that went on in the lead up and having their backs against the walls, Slater called the Game III win an “inspiring performance”.

“I’ve been proud of this group a number of times over the past four years but I don’t know if I’ve been anymore proud than tonight,” the Queensland coach said.

“There’s been a lot of hurdles to overcome. It’s an incredible feeling and I’m sure 5.5 million people are feeling the same way.”

Originally published as ‘Never felt like this’: Billy, Munster shares details of shattering Maroons camp moment