'Emotional' Cameron Munster admits mixed feelings about replacing axed Daly Cherry-Evans as captain
Updated . First published at
Queensland coach Billy Slater has made a big call on who will captain the Maroons after axing Daly Cherry-Evans.
The QRL on Tuesday announced Cameron Munster will take the honours for game two in Perth next week.
The veteran five-eighth beat the likes of Harry Grant and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to the role.
THE MOLE: Benji 'skating on thin ice' amid NRL crackdown
READ MORE: Crowd goes nuts as Galvin cements Bulldogs win
READ MORE: 'A really dark place': McKeown's sad admission after DQ, protest
It's an intriguing choice given Munster isn't even captain of his club.
Grant captains the Storm while Munster is in the leadership group.
New Maroons captain Cameron Munster speaks to media. Nine
Munster has a history of being a larrikin. He was famously kicked out of Mal Meninga's 2017 Kangaroos camp, while stories of him infuriating Storm coach Craig Bellamy during video sessions are legendary.
"It's pretty emotional," Munster said on Tuesday after the announcement.
"If you asked me that question five years ago, 10 years ago, everyone would have laughed in your face.
"(I'm) very excited to lead this team out. I know it's terrible circumstances with Chez, I'm really close mates with him.
"It's disappointing (he was axed) but someone had to take the role and I'm pretty excited to lead these boys out next Wednesday night."
But Slater on Monday hinted he had faith Munster could do the job for Queensland.
Maroons players Harry Grant and Cameron Munster. Getty
"He takes on a fair bit of responsibility anyway," Slater said.
"He really cares about his footy and he's one of the leaders.
"He's not a club captain, but he's certainly a leader within his footy team in Melbourne and he's a great leader for his footy team right here in Queensland.
Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
"Leadership will be dispersed and it always is in this footy team.
"Whoever tosses the coin will get a lot of support."
Next week will be Munster's 20th Origin game and so he will also be handed a Dick "Tosser" Turner Medal by the QRL to mark the milestone.
Slater on Tuesday also confirmed Kurt Mann will make his Origin debut in Perth next week.
It means Ezra Mam, Corey Horsburgh, and Jack Howarth will likely be the three to miss selection and act as reserves within the 20-man squad.
