Michael Morgan took terrible secret into State of Origin 1

Brave Maroons utility Michael Morgan took a dark and terrible secret into Wednesday night's State of Origin opener.

Morgan's cousin Connor Morgan - a promising local rugby union player in North Queensland - died suddenly only days before the big game.

He will be buried after a funeral service in Townsville today (Friday).

The 18-year-old was a talented player with the Brothers Rugby Union Club and his death has shocked the local sporting community.

But Michael Morgan told few of his team-mates about the tragedy in the lead-up to the Origin clash on Wednesday night, which the Blues won 28-4.

Few of his Cowboys teammates even knew of the sad news but his funeral is expected to be attended by many league and union players today.

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