Cameron Munster is preparing to lead his team out for Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider, carrying the weight of personal loss after the shock death of his father, Steven.
The father of the Maroons skipper, who passed away at age 58 on Saturday, is remembered as both a family man and a terrific sportsman.
Just one day before he died, Steven spoke about his son’s success.
‘Both of us are so proud of the way he’s going through his life and now he’s captain of Queensland, it’s just unbelievable,’ he told the ABC.
‘He’s got to be proud the way he’s turned his life around and for where he’s come from.
‘I remember sitting on the verandah with him and [sister] Danielle and he said to us, “All I want to do, Dad, is play one NRL game” and all of a sudden, look what he’s done now.’
Cameron Munster is determined to lead his team to victory during Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider
The Maroons skipper’s 58-year-old father passed away on Saturday (pictured: Steven Munster, left, Cameron, centre, and his mother Deborah, right)
Munster was in camp with the squad and was heading for a coffee when he learned that his father had died, according to reports.
The Melbourne Storm star broke down in tears upon hearing the news and his team-mates gathered around him to support their captain.
It is understood that he then met with coach Billy Slater straight after, where he affirmed his intent to lead his team out for Wednesday’s Origin decider at Accor Stadium.
The 30-year-old Maroons star then left the camp and headed home to see his family, while the rest of the squad travelled to the Sunshine Coast Stadium for a training session.
On Tuesday, Munster rejoined the squad to lead them out for a final run before the hotly-anticipated decider and was joined on the sideline by his mum and sister.
Slater understood the best thing he could do for Munster sitting in his room on Sunday was to be there as a mate, then give him all the time he needed with his family.
The coach knew that because he lost his own father Ronnie earlier this year.
‘There’s no real words that fix any of this,’ Slater said.
His dad, Steven (right), had been Munster’s biggest supporter, and travelled up and down the country watching his son play
Coach Billy Slater said says his players are all behind team captain Cameron Munster
Munster put on a brave face as he led his squad out for a final run on Tuesday afternoon before the Origin decider (pictured)
‘Unfortunately there’s not a switch.
‘I haven’t dealt with this as a coach, but I’ve dealt with it as a person. I lost my father in January. I know what it’s like and Cam’s an inspiration for many people.
‘He’s a hero to many people in Queensland. I can only imagine his dad would’ve been his first inspiration and his first hero. He’d be hurting right now.’
That’s why Slater knows Wednesday night is the time for the Maroons to show up for Munster, just as he showed up for his teammates in guiding them to victory against the odds in Origin II.
‘Their skipper is going to need them on Wednesday night,’ Slater said.
‘I’m sure it’ll give them a huge boost, to see their mate going through something that you only go through once in your life, losing your father. I’m sure it’s going to have a huge impact on them.’