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Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen says a fit Cameron Munster looms as a massive weapon for the Storm in their NRL preliminary final against Canberra.
Cameron Munster and his troublesome knee have been given the green light for Friday's NRL preliminary final in a massive boost for Melbourne and Queensland's State of Origin campaign.
There were fears the Storm five-eighth would miss the Suncorp Stadium showdown with Canberra - and the end of season Origin series - after he tweaked his knee late in last week's qualifying final defeat of Parramatta.
But the tough-as-nails playmaker trained strongly at Monday's and Tuesday's sessions at their Sunshine Coast base to leave no doubts about his fitness to face the Raiders.
The Maroons are already without the injured Michael Morgan, Kyle Feldt, Kalyn Ponga and Moses Mbye, while David Fifita is in the early stages of recovery from ankle surgery and Valentine Holmes is suspended for game one.
But it's understood Munster's lingering knee soreness - which has hobbled him on three separate occasions this season - will only require rest, not surgery to heal and leave him free to lead an otherwise injury-ravaged Maroons against NSW next month.
Dale Finucane (calf) has also been named in the Storm's extended squad, but a return for the grand final is more realistic if they're able to reverse the result of last year's finals clash.
Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen had no doubt Munster would front up in Brisbane on Friday night and resume their burgeoning relationship.
"He's massive - there was a bit of carry-on last week against Parramatta but he's been running around the table tennis table," Papenhuyzen said on Tuesday.
"He's great to have and he's a massive weapon of ours; to have him in the team and fit is really important."
Munster's inclusion came as no surprise to the Raiders, who have named the same 17 that ended the Sydney Roosters' hopes of a three-peat last weekend.
"It would take a fair bit for him not to play," Canberra captain Jarrod Croker said.
"We know how good of a player he is and how much of a side they are with him in there. I've got no doubts he will play."
Elsewhere Kurt Capewell will start for suspended Penrith enforcer Viliame Kikau, with Spencer Leniu joining the bench while South Sydney are unchanged from the side that overcame the Eels last weekend.
