Queensland will name Cameron Munster for the State of Origin series opener but hold serious concerns the five-eighth will not be fit to take on NSW. The 2020 Wally Lewis Medallist hasn’t played since round nine due to a foot injury but NRL club Melbourne have given him the all-clear to join the Maroons camp on Monday. The decision allows Maroons medical staff to assess Munster’s injury before making a final decision on whether the 26-year-old will face the Blues on June 9. Former star and selector Billy Slater said Munster’s value to the team justified the decision to give him every chance to prove his fitness, but he wasn’t optimistic. “He’s got to tick a few more boxes to be available for Queensland,” Slater told the Nine Network. “I believe Melbourne have allowed him to go into camp and give himself a chance to tick those boxes. “He’s such an integral part of the Queensland Origin team these days, we saw how influential he was last year, and I think Queensland will give him every chance to get right for that game one.” Clouding the issue is a groin problem for Kalyn Ponga, with the Newcastle star the man most likely to play in the No.6 jersey if Munster is ruled out. Ponga is also expected to be named despite not playing for the Knights in their clash with Manly on Sunday, with Corey Norman or Ben Hunt as potential options should neither player be available. “That’s the problem that we’ve got at the moment, we don’t know who’s available and who’s gonna be fit enough to play in what is it about 10 days time,” Slater said. “He’s (Ponga) certainly an option that’s for sure. “He’s played six before. He’s a class player, he plays a lot like a five-eighth anyway, especially on that left-hand side.” Slater said the news was more positive on Harry Grant’s hamstring injury, despite the Storm hooker missing Thursday’s match against Brisbane. Grant is expected to be picked in the No.9 jersey despite the form of Parramatta’s Reed Mahoney. “He’s missed a bit of football this year, but he’s got the runs on the board in the Maroon jersey Harry,” Slater said. “He played extremely well last year but if we decide to go with Reed Mahoney well, he’s certainly not going to let anyone down.” Five-eighth is far from Green and the rest of the Queensland selector’s issues with Josh Papalii and Josh McGuire both suspended and Lindsay Collins (knee) injured. Backrower Felise Kaufusi is facing a one-game ban after being charged with tripping Brisbane’s Jake Turpin and can only play if he successfully defends the charge at the judiciary. It leaves Green light on back row options with South Sydney’s Jaydn Su’a plying his trade in reserve grade after being axed by the Rabbitohs, although Gold Coast enforcer David Fifita will return after missing last year’s series with an ankle injury. Titans teammate Moeaki Fotuaika should feature while Storm front-rower Christian Welch insists he’s good to go despite a knee complaint. POSSIBLE QUEENSLAND TEAM: Kalyn Ponga, Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Kurt Capewell, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (capt), Christian Welch, Harry Grant, Jai Arrow, Felise Kaufusi, David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Interchange: AJ Brimson, Coen Hess, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reed Mahoney. Australian Associated Press
Queensland will name Cameron Munster for the State of Origin series opener but hold serious concerns the five-eighth will not be fit to take on NSW.
The 2020 Wally Lewis Medallist hasn’t played since round nine due to a foot injury but NRL club Melbourne have given him the all-clear to join the Maroons camp on Monday.
The decision allows Maroons medical staff to assess Munster’s injury before making a final decision on whether the 26-year-old will face the Blues on June 9.
Former star and selector Billy Slater said Munster’s value to the team justified the decision to give him every chance to prove his fitness, but he wasn’t optimistic.
“He’s got to tick a few more boxes to be available for Queensland,” Slater told the Nine Network.
“I believe Melbourne have allowed him to go into camp and give himself a chance to tick those boxes.
“He’s such an integral part of the Queensland Origin team these days, we saw how influential he was last year, and I think Queensland will give him every chance to get right for that game one.”
Clouding the issue is a groin problem for Kalyn Ponga, with the Newcastle star the man most likely to play in the No.6 jersey if Munster is ruled out.
Ponga is also expected to be named despite not playing for the Knights in their clash with Manly on Sunday, with Corey Norman or Ben Hunt as potential options should neither player be available.
“That’s the problem that we’ve got at the moment, we don’t know who’s available and who’s gonna be fit enough to play in what is it about 10 days time,” Slater said.
“He’s (Ponga) certainly an option that’s for sure.
“He’s played six before. He’s a class player, he plays a lot like a five-eighth anyway, especially on that left-hand side.”
Slater said the news was more positive on Harry Grant’s hamstring injury, despite the Storm hooker missing Thursday’s match against Brisbane.
Grant is expected to be picked in the No.9 jersey despite the form of Parramatta’s Reed Mahoney.
“He’s missed a bit of football this year, but he’s got the runs on the board in the Maroon jersey Harry,” Slater said.
“He played extremely well last year but if we decide to go with Reed Mahoney well, he’s certainly not going to let anyone down.”
Five-eighth is far from Green and the rest of the Queensland selector’s issues with Josh Papalii and Josh McGuire both suspended and Lindsay Collins (knee) injured.
Backrower Felise Kaufusi is facing a one-game ban after being charged with tripping Brisbane’s Jake Turpin and can only play if he successfully defends the charge at the judiciary.
It leaves Green light on back row options with South Sydney’s Jaydn Su’a plying his trade in reserve grade after being axed by the Rabbitohs, although Gold Coast enforcer David Fifita will return after missing last year’s series with an ankle injury.
Titans teammate Moeaki Fotuaika should feature while Storm front-rower Christian Welch insists he’s good to go despite a knee complaint.
POSSIBLE QUEENSLAND TEAM:
Kalyn Ponga, Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Kurt Capewell, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (capt), Christian Welch, Harry Grant, Jai Arrow, Felise Kaufusi, David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui. Interchange: AJ Brimson, Coen Hess, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reed Mahoney.
Australian Associated Press
