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Injury to sharpen Munster's Origin mindset

3 minute read

Queensland playmaker Cameron Munster says an ongoing foot issue will sharpen his focus for next week's State of Origin opener, declaring he's fit to play.

CAMERON MUNSTER.
CAMERON MUNSTER. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The troublesome foot issue that has dogged his State of Origin build-up will only sharpen the focus of Queensland star Cameron Munster for next week's series opener.

The Maroons five-eighth has declared himself fit to face NSW in Townsville on Wednesday after coming through training unscathed this week.

Last year's player of the series has missed the past month at club level with Melbourne and admitted to pulling up sore following his first training hit-out with the Maroons on Thursday.

Playing hurt is nothing new for Munster, who defied a knee injury to help the Storm win last year's grand final and then was crucial to Queensland's 2-1 Origin win over the Blues.

The 26-year-old knows he can draw on those achievements to deliver next week.

"I think it's just a mindset. Obviously I had to go out there and when I knew I was injured, I knew I had to make sure I was right to play and I knew I had to be at my best to play," Munster said.

"When you're feeling good and you're fresh and fit, sometimes you forget that you need to actually roll the sleeves up and have a dig.

"I'll be out there on Wednesday night making sure I can do everything I can to give these boys that winning feeling like we had last year."

Munster's availability will be a huge relief for Maroons' coach Paul Green, who has already lost a mercurial talent in Kalyn Ponga due to a groin injury.

Hooker Harry Grant also trained on Friday and looks good to retain the No.9 jersey, meaning Parramatta's Reed Mahoney may well be released over the weekend to play for the Eels on Sunday against Newcastle.

After missing a portion of Thursday's training, AJ Brimson was at CBUS Super Stadium from the start of Friday's session, albeit with his left knee heavily strapped.

Veteran centre Dane Gagai missed the session due to illness but Maroons staff are confident the 30-year-old is in no doubt for Wednesday's game.

Queensland will have one more session on the Gold Coast on Sunday, before flying to Townsville on Monday.

Munster said while there's a chance he could worsen his Lisfranc injury, it's a risk he's willing to take to be part of the historic sold-out match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

"There's no sugarcoating it. Everyone that has injuries and go out there and play, they know there's always going to be a risk," he said.

"I could get out there unscathed and be fine and then four days later someone stands on it. It's hard to say.

"There's always going to be a risk when you're playing rugby league that's for sure."

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