Munster matches the King, says coaching great
After being hailed for delivering a "Wally Lewis-type performance" in State of Origin, Cameron Munster may have earned a rest from Melbourne's NRL clash with South Sydney.
While most of the Storm's Origin contingent headed straight from Perth to Sydney ahead of Saturday night's match, Munster flew home to Melbourne.
In his first game as Queensland captain, the 30-year-old delivered a man-of-the-match performance as he guided the Maroons to a 26-24 victory to level the series.
He scored a try and recorded a team-high 112 metres, with four tackle busts in one of his best Origin showings.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett compared Munster to Queensland great Wally Lewis, who dominated the interstate arena in his 31 appearances.
Bennett was Queensland coach for three years during the "King's" reign.
"It was a Wally Lewis-type performance," said the veteran coach, who will meet Storm coach Craig Bellamy for a record 44th time.
"Wally won, I think, eight man of the matches in State of Origin ... I thought Cam was outstanding."
Melbourne coach Bellamy has a role as a coaching advisor with the NSW side and while he was disappointed with the result, said he was "proud" of Munster.
"For him to captain his state was a really proud moment for him, his family and for the Storm and he led them with a lot of energy and really stuck to doing what he does well," Bellamy said.
"I'm really proud of him, I'm not real happy for him, but real proud of him but hopefully the Blues can get them next time."
Bellamy said his five-eighth's return to Melbourne was for family reasons and was still hopeful he would play at Accor Stadium.
However it seems unlikely they would put him on another plane with the team on Friday afternoon.
Munster has carried a big workload this season, coming after double hip surgery in the off-season to relieve pressure on his groin.
"Munster's come back obviously to see his kids, he missed them," Bellamy said.
"He's not trained today, I'm pretty sure he'll play so we'll just see how they (Origin contingent) come up and go from there."
As Jonah Pezet makes his return from an ACL with their feeder team in Queensland, youngster Keagan Russell-Smith is a chance to play his first NRL game of the year and only second overall.
The highly rated 21-year-old made his debut in round 26 last year and has been included in the reserves.
Bellamy said he was yet to make a call, with gun utility Tyran Wishart also an option at No.6.
Queensland winger Xavier Coates has already been ruled out as the Storm manage his troublesome hamstrings while NSW prop Stefano Utoikamanu also flew to Melbourne rather than Sydney putting him in major doubt.
After being hailed for delivering a "Wally Lewis-type performance" in State of Origin, Cameron Munster may have earned a rest from Melbourne's NRL clash with South Sydney.
While most of the Storm's Origin contingent headed straight from Perth to Sydney ahead of Saturday night's match, Munster flew home to Melbourne.
In his first game as Queensland captain, the 30-year-old delivered a man-of-the-match performance as he guided the Maroons to a 26-24 victory to level the series.
He scored a try and recorded a team-high 112 metres, with four tackle busts in one of his best Origin showings.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett compared Munster to Queensland great Wally Lewis, who dominated the interstate arena in his 31 appearances.
Bennett was Queensland coach for three years during the "King's" reign.
"It was a Wally Lewis-type performance," said the veteran coach, who will meet Storm coach Craig Bellamy for a record 44th time.
"Wally won, I think, eight man of the matches in State of Origin ... I thought Cam was outstanding."
Melbourne coach Bellamy has a role as a coaching advisor with the NSW side and while he was disappointed with the result, said he was "proud" of Munster.
"For him to captain his state was a really proud moment for him, his family and for the Storm and he led them with a lot of energy and really stuck to doing what he does well," Bellamy said.
"I'm really proud of him, I'm not real happy for him, but real proud of him but hopefully the Blues can get them next time."
Bellamy said his five-eighth's return to Melbourne was for family reasons and was still hopeful he would play at Accor Stadium.
However it seems unlikely they would put him on another plane with the team on Friday afternoon.
Munster has carried a big workload this season, coming after double hip surgery in the off-season to relieve pressure on his groin.
"Munster's come back obviously to see his kids, he missed them," Bellamy said.
"He's not trained today, I'm pretty sure he'll play so we'll just see how they (Origin contingent) come up and go from there."
As Jonah Pezet makes his return from an ACL with their feeder team in Queensland, youngster Keagan Russell-Smith is a chance to play his first NRL game of the year and only second overall.
The highly rated 21-year-old made his debut in round 26 last year and has been included in the reserves.
Bellamy said he was yet to make a call, with gun utility Tyran Wishart also an option at No.6.
Queensland winger Xavier Coates has already been ruled out as the Storm manage his troublesome hamstrings while NSW prop Stefano Utoikamanu also flew to Melbourne rather than Sydney putting him in major doubt.
After being hailed for delivering a "Wally Lewis-type performance" in State of Origin, Cameron Munster may have earned a rest from Melbourne's NRL clash with South Sydney.
While most of the Storm's Origin contingent headed straight from Perth to Sydney ahead of Saturday night's match, Munster flew home to Melbourne.
In his first game as Queensland captain, the 30-year-old delivered a man-of-the-match performance as he guided the Maroons to a 26-24 victory to level the series.
He scored a try and recorded a team-high 112 metres, with four tackle busts in one of his best Origin showings.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett compared Munster to Queensland great Wally Lewis, who dominated the interstate arena in his 31 appearances.
Bennett was Queensland coach for three years during the "King's" reign.
"It was a Wally Lewis-type performance," said the veteran coach, who will meet Storm coach Craig Bellamy for a record 44th time.
"Wally won, I think, eight man of the matches in State of Origin ... I thought Cam was outstanding."
Melbourne coach Bellamy has a role as a coaching advisor with the NSW side and while he was disappointed with the result, said he was "proud" of Munster.
"For him to captain his state was a really proud moment for him, his family and for the Storm and he led them with a lot of energy and really stuck to doing what he does well," Bellamy said.
"I'm really proud of him, I'm not real happy for him, but real proud of him but hopefully the Blues can get them next time."
Bellamy said his five-eighth's return to Melbourne was for family reasons and was still hopeful he would play at Accor Stadium.
However it seems unlikely they would put him on another plane with the team on Friday afternoon.
Munster has carried a big workload this season, coming after double hip surgery in the off-season to relieve pressure on his groin.
"Munster's come back obviously to see his kids, he missed them," Bellamy said.
"He's not trained today, I'm pretty sure he'll play so we'll just see how they (Origin contingent) come up and go from there."
As Jonah Pezet makes his return from an ACL with their feeder team in Queensland, youngster Keagan Russell-Smith is a chance to play his first NRL game of the year and only second overall.
The highly rated 21-year-old made his debut in round 26 last year and has been included in the reserves.
Bellamy said he was yet to make a call, with gun utility Tyran Wishart also an option at No.6.
Queensland winger Xavier Coates has already been ruled out as the Storm manage his troublesome hamstrings while NSW prop Stefano Utoikamanu also flew to Melbourne rather than Sydney putting him in major doubt.
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