Cameron Munster has been backed to captain a new look Queensland side as the Billy Slater’s Maroons try to win the second Origin in Perth and force a decider in Sydney.
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Read on for the latest Queensland team developments.
IS MUNSTER THE MAN TO REPLACE DCE AT MAROONS SKIPPER
If Daly Cherry-Evans is dropped for Origin II, Cameron Munster has been floated as his potential successor as Queensland captain.
The Maroons are not short on leaders with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Harry Garnt both captaining their NRL teams, but Munster is an elder statesman of the team and inspires players with his effort and brilliance.
Braith Anasta put it to Gorden Tallis on NRL 360, who would be the skipper if DCE is axed for the Perth clash.
“You think Harry Grant is going to be there for a long time and you think someone like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui being a leader,” Tallis said on NRL 360.
“Both of those guys captained their club, but at the moment, but at the moment, DCE is our captain.
“You have Tom Dearden if he comes in maybe and you have got Cameron Munster. All those guys there is a natural leaders there. And you have got Pat Carrigan as well, so there is enough. I would pick Tino or Harry.”
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However, The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio believes Fa’asuamaleaui and Grant would not be on the field for the full 80 minutes, which could hurt their chances.
“The concern for me on that is that Tino is playing around 50 minutes a game,” Riccio said.
“Harry Grant needed a spell and he’s only played two games in six weeks, so he is probably going to need another spell in Origin II.”
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However, Tallis believes captains can do some of their most important work before they even get on the field.
“I get that, but sometimes when you are captain, it is not about the game, it is about the week,” Tallis said.
“It is about the lead-in nd about the belief that you are going to give to the guys. It is about the message that you can deliver.
“I haven’t been around the group but I know Tino when you talk to him he gives you confidence. Harry Grant is probably that same guy.”
Fox League’s James Hooper believes Munster is the circuit-breaker captain Queensland need in the wake of their horror loss in game one.
“I’d pick your man Munster because where Queensland are at, at the moment and this is no disrespect, they were convincingly beaten in that game even though the scoreline was only 18-6,” Hooper said.
“Often you see and you were the same when you got the captaincy when you played, it made you play better. It makes the best players play better and Queensland need a circuit-breaker here.”
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Tallis warned that some players struggle under the weight of the captaincy.
“Who is going to play better with the c next to their name?” Tallis asked.
“Because for some it is a burden. You can see some people and they carry it an dit can be a burden for some guys and it doesn’t make them play better. And some guys just go, that’s me.”
Riccio agreed Munster is the man to lead Queensland into battle because he inspires the players around him to be better.
“The concern for me with Harry, as good a leader as he is, he had a career low performance in Origin I where he almost overplayed his hand,” Riccio said.
“He almost tried too hard. I understand he won’t play that bad again, but you just want Harry to go and focus on his own game. If he walks into camp as the new captain what is that going to do for him?
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“I am going with Munster as well because he has that capability to say, come on boys get on my back, let’s go.”
Tallis agreed, but questioned if Munster would benefit from the captaincy.
“He does, but does he play better with it?” Or will Cameron Munster be Cameron Munster?” Tallis asked.
“I think he is the style of person and player that would revel in the responsibility,” Hooper replied.
Anasta who manages Munster believes it would mean the world to Munster to captain his state, so it could only benefit Queensland to give him the honour.
“I think he would be a great captain,” Anasta said.
“It would be a privilege for him and I know that he would love the responsibility.
“I haven’t spoken to him about it, but if there was any team that he would perform better at with the captaincy it would be Queensland as a leader because it means so much to him.
“I have never met a guy who is so passionate about his state. I think it could only be a good thing.”
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PREDICTED QUEENSLAND TEAM
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Xavier Coates
3. Robert Toia
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi**
6. Cameron Munster (c)
7. Tom Dearden*
8. Lindsay Collins*
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Reuben Cotter
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Pat Carrigan
14. Kurt Mann**
15. Moeaki Fotuaika*
16. Beau Fermor
17. Corey Horsburgh**
Dropped: Valentine Holmes, Daly-Cherry-Evans, Trent Loiero (total 47 games experience).
*Changed position
