3 minute read

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans believes Cameron Munster can be a 10-year State of Origin player at five-eighth.

Not so long ago Cameron Munster considered himself a frustrated fullback.

But Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans reckons Munster has not only shown that he can handle five-eighth, he can be a 10-year State of Origin player in the position.

Munster admitted he had his eye on the vacant Maroons No.1 jersey this year after Queensland great Billy Slater retired following the 2018 Origin series.

The Melbourne NRL star had grown up playing No.1 and felt he only got the chance to play his first four games for Queensland at pivot because of Johnathan Thurston's retirement and an untimely injury to Brisbane's Anthony Milford.

However, Munster said he had now given up on his dream of playing fullback for Queensland with superstar Kalyn Ponga handed the No.1 jersey before the June 5 Origin opener in Brisbane.

"It was a tough one there at one stage. I was getting picked at five-eighth when Thurston (retired) and Milford were injured so I was the last string there at one stage," Munster said.

"But I feel it's been working for me (at five-eighth) and I'm glad to be the guy in the No.6 jersey.

"Hopefully it's on me now to play some decent footy and keep the jumper."

However, his halves partner Cherry-Evans reckoned Munster had nothing to worry about.

Asked if Munster could be a 10-year Origin player for Queensland, Cherry-Evans said: "100 per cent.

"I don't want to put any extra pressure on Munny because we all know and talk about how good he is.

"But I have a lot confidence when I play alongside him and I do have a lot of belief that he can win games for Queensland.

"I hope he is doing that for a long time and hope that I am next to him."

Still, Munster reckoned his halves pairing with DCE had a lot to prove in the Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium as Queensland sought to avenge NSW's 2-1 series win last year.

"You can't really sugarcoat it, the backs are to the wall for me and Chezza (Cherry-Evans) and we need to be consistent and lead our engine room around and our big forward pack," he said.

For the moment though, the fun loving Munster is enjoying his time alongside the more tactical DCE.

"We are definitely different players. I'm really relaxed. If we were two serious players it wouldn't be too good because we would be butting heads," Munster said.

"But I just relax and let Chez run the show."